Extensions & tax deadlines
What a tax extension does (and doesn't), and the key dates to know.
Extensions & tax deadlines
Extensions and deadlines cause more worry than they need to. Here's the plain-English version of what an extension actually does, and the dates worth keeping on your radar.
What an extension does
A tax extension gives you more time to file your return — typically an additional six months past the original due date. It's a routine, no-penalty request: the IRS grants it automatically when filed on time, and filing an extension is not a red flag.
We use extensions when finalizing your books or gathering documents needs a little more runway. Better to file an accurate return a bit later than to rush an inaccurate one and have to amend it.
This is the part people miss. An extension extends your filing deadline, but any tax you owe is still due by the original deadline. If you expect to owe, you (or we) should estimate and pay by the original date to avoid interest and late-payment penalties. The extension only protects you from the late-filing penalty.
Key dates to know
Exact dates shift a day or two when they land on a weekend or holiday, but the usual federal pattern is:
- March 15 — filing deadline for S-corporations and partnerships (and the deadline to file their extension). Extended deadline is around September 15.
- April 15 — filing deadline for sole proprietors / single-member LLCs (Schedule C) and C-corporations, and the deadline to file their extension. Extended deadline is around October 15.
- Quarterly estimated taxes — generally April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year, for those who pay estimates through the year.
Which deadlines apply to you comes down to how your business is set up. If you're not sure of your entity type, see Entity types & the tax forms they file — and your tax contact will confirm the dates that apply to your return.