Tax Filing Deadline
The IRS-mandated date by which individuals and businesses must file their tax returns or request an extension.
What is Tax Filing Deadline?
The tax filing deadline is the annual date set by the IRS by which taxpayers must submit their federal income tax return or file Form 4868 to request an automatic six-month extension. For most individual filers, the deadline is April 15 (or the next business day if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday). An extension grants additional time to file the return but does not extend the time to pay taxes owed—interest and a late-payment penalty begin accruing on any unpaid balance after the original deadline. Special deadlines apply to combat zone military personnel and disaster-area residents.
Example
For tax year 2024, the individual filing deadline is April 15, 2025. A taxpayer who needs more time files Form 4868 by April 15, extending the filing deadline to October 15, 2025. However, if they owe $3,000, they must pay at least that amount by April 15 to avoid the 0.5% monthly late-payment penalty and daily interest charges on the unpaid balance.