As the tax deadline looms, understanding how to request an automatic extension can save you from costly penalties. Form 4868 offers a straightforward way to extend your filing deadline by six months,

As the deadline for filing federal tax returns approaches, many taxpayers find themselves in need of additional time. The IRS offers a solution: a tax filing extension.

Filers who are unable to meet today’s deadline can electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension through IRS Free File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. People who don’t want to submit the form electronically must fill it out and have it in the mail today.