Automatic Extensions

An “automatic extension” is available in at least three ways:

  1. Automatically granted upon timely receipt of a request, such as IRS From 7004 or Form 4868.
  2. Retroactively granted by the State upon confirmation that the IRS granted an extension.
  3. Automatically granted without any action by the taxpayer, whatsoever.


Normally, the IRS and the State will not confirm in writing that they granted an extension.

Update: There are rumors that automatic extensions are being granted or that there is a postponement of the March 16, 2020 and April 15, 2020 filing due dates. As of March 18, 2020 the IRS has not granted this.  But payment of many taxes that are normally due on April 15, 2020 and June 15, 2020 have been postponed.

Regulation  §1.6081-1(b)(1) allows for a reasonable extension of time to file a tax return (generally not to exceed six months)

Many due dates have changed for years with tax returns that are due after 2018 (due in 2019 or later)
Form 1040 due April 15th, with 6-month extension available to October 15th
Form 1041 due April 15th, with 5½-month extension available to September 30th
Form 1065 due March 15th, with 6-month extension available to September 15th* 
Form W-2 and 1099-MISC due January 31st, with 30-day discretionary extension available to February 28th  (Form 8809)
Form 1120S due March 15th, with 6-month extension available to September 15th*

* CAUTION: Keep proof of timely filing of Form 7004 extension and then do not file Form 1065 or Form 1120S before May 15th otherwise a late filing penalty is automatically assessed.  NOTE: this does not delay the issuing of the Schedule K-1s to the owners.  The owners may file their own tax returns even before the Form 1065 or Form 1120S is filed.  ALSO : on a pre-2018 Form 1065, Schedule B, if item 5 is answered “Yes” or if a Designation of Tax Matters Partner is listed, the IRS may consider the return to be a TEFRA return as may balk at any Rev.Proc. 84-35 penalty abatement request.

FinCEN REPORT 114  (FBAR) due April 15th, with totally automatic pre-granted 6-month extension available to October 15th
When filing a late FBAR
December Y/E Form 1120 due April 15th, with 6-month extension available to October 15th
May Y/E Form 1120 due September 15th, with 6-month extension available to March 15th
June Y/E Form 1120 due September 15th, with 7-month extension available to April 15th
Form 5500 due July 31st, with 3½-month extension available to November 15th (REPEALED DECEMBER 2015)
Form 5500 due July 31st, with 2½-month extension available to October 15th

10-day efile extension.  An extra 10 days perfection periods for rejected efile submissions (some states provide as little as 5-days and NYC and PA allow none) if a timely efile submission is rejected, these extra days are allowed to perfect the efile, or to paper file the tax return.  See page 18 here: IRS Publication 4164   IRS Publication 4163   IRS Publication 1345


Some due dates were changed for tax returns due in 2016
Form 1040 due April 18th (or hand delivered April 19th in MA and ME) with 6-month extension available to October 17th
Form 1041 due April 18th (or hand delivered April 19th in MA and ME) with 5-month extension available to September 15th
Form 1065 due April 18th (or hand delivered April 19th in MA and ME) with 6-month extension available to September 15th
Form W-2 and 1099-MISC (non-employee compensation) due March 2nd, with “30-day” discretionary extension available to March 28th
Form 1120S due March 16th, with 6-month extension available to September 15th


26 CFR 1.6081-1 – Extension of time for filing returns.

26 CFR 1.6081-2 – Automatic extension of time to file certain returns filed by partnerships.

26 CFR 1.6081-3 – Automatic extension of time for filing corporation income tax returns.

26 CFR 1.6081-4 – Automatic extension of time for filing individual income tax return.

26 CFR 1.6081-5 – Extensions of time in the case of certain partnerships, corporations and U.S. citizens and residents.

26 CFR 1.6081-6 – Automatic extension of time to file estate or trust income tax return.

26 CFR 1.6081-8 – Automatic extension of time to file certain information returns.

26 CFR 301.6651-1 – Failure to file tax return or to pay tax.

§301.6651-1(c)(3)  Reasonable cause will be presumed.


IRS – Extension of Time To File Your Tax Return

https://drsbustax.ct.gov/AUT/welcometpbf.aspx
https://drsbustax.ct.gov/AUT/welcomebusiness.aspx
https://drsbustax.ct.gov/SBR/PSC/formCT1065CT1120SIReg.aspx?TXPYRTYP=B&fromwelcome=yes

http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/ext.htm
https://www8.tax.ny.gov/PEXT/pextHome

http://www.mass.gov/dor/individuals/filing-and-payment-information/filing-options/webfile-and-electronic-filing/automatic-extensions-on-the-web.html

https://interactive.marylandtaxes.com/Individuals/iFile_ChooseForm/default.asp
800-260-3664

https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/ind/FR127LoadStep1.do

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

https://esweb.revenue.louisiana.gov/OnlineTaxExtensions/IndividualTaxExtension.aspx