Does a tax extension delay your payment?

CBS News

21-07-2025

Every spring, taxpayers across the country rush to pull together the forms, receipts and financial records required to file their taxes before the April 15th deadline. No matter how prepared you think you are, though, all it takes is a missing form or two, a complicated financial situation, or an emergency to get in the way of filing on time. When that happens, requesting a tax extension can be a quick but temporary fix.
By filing a simple form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you can buy yourself extra time to prepare your tax return without incurring steep late filing penalties. Millions of taxpayers request extensions annually, according to the IRS, with the number climbing as people's financial lives become more complex. So, if you're unable to get your paperwork done in time, an extension seems like an obvious solution.
But many filers think an extension also delays their payment due date, and misunderstanding how this or other IRS rules work can lead to extra charges and penalties. So, does a tax extension give you more time to pay, or does the IRS still expect your money by the original deadline?
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The short answer is no, a tax extension doesn't delay your payment to the IRS. A tax extension gives you additional time to file your return — usually six months, moving the due date from mid-April to mid-October — but the IRS still requires taxpayers to estimate and pay their tax liability by the standard deadline. The best approach is to think of a tax extension as a way to avoid the late filing penalty, which can be as high as 5% of your unpaid taxes per month. If you fail to pay your total tax bill by the April 15th deadline, the IRS will typically charge:
To minimize these types of penalties, you need to submit an estimated payment along with the IRS extension request form. If you're unsure of your exact tax liability, use your most recent pay stubs, investment statements and last year's return as a starting point. Even a rough estimate is better than paying nothing, and if you end up overpaying, you'll get a refund after you file. If you underpay, the IRS will charge interest on the difference, calculated from the April deadline until you settle the balance.
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If you've filed an extension but can't pay the full amount you owe to the IRS, don't panic. There are numerous solutions to the issue, including:
A tax extension gives you extra time to get your paperwork in order, but it doesn't delay the IRS's payment deadline. To avoid costly penalties and interest, pay as much as you can by the regular due date — even if you can't pay in full. And if your tax bill feels overwhelming, it may benefit you to explore your IRS payment options or consider working with a tax relief specialist to create a plan. The sooner you act, though, the more control you'll have over the situation.