If you’re wondering what the last day to
file taxes for 2023 is, it’s April 15, 2024. Individual taxpayers must also file their income tax returns by this date. However, any taxpayer who files an extension for the 2023 tax year has until the October tax deadline to file their returns.
Remember that requesting an extension only postpones the deadline for submitting your paperwork; it doesn't give you additional time to pay what you owe. If you anticipate owing taxes this year, you have to estimate the amount owed after requesting a federal tax extension and pay it by the April filing deadline.
If you’re self-employed, you also have to calculate and pay estimated taxes using
Form 1040-ES. You’ll need to total your income and SE tax liability and make
quarterly tax payments throughout the year if it crosses $1,000.
If the IRS finds your estimated tax amount to be off-base, they could reject your federal tax extension request and hit you with a late filing penalty. Underestimating your tax liability could also lead to interest charges and potential
underpayment penalties on the unpaid balance by the initial filing deadline. Failing to pay at least 90% of your tax bill could lead to a penalty of 0.5% of the underpayment each month until the remaining balance is settled.
Self-employed individuals don’t have to file any paperwork when applying for the tax extension deadline 2024. They just indicate that the estimated tax payments are for an extension when paying online. If the IRS accepts the extension request, they’ll send you a confirmation email.