The tax filing and payment deadline was postponed to May 17 for most individuals. If you need more time to file, you must request an extension of time to file by May 17, or you may face a failure to file penalty. This automatic extension gives you until October 15 to file your tax return. An extension to file is not an extension to pay. You have to pay your taxes by May 17 to avoid penalties and interest on the amount owed after that date.
To get an extension to file, you can do either of the following:
File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return through your tax professional or tax software, or by using IRS Free File.
Pay all or part of your estimated income tax due and indicate that the payment is for an extension using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or a credit or debit card. An automatic extension of time to file will process when you pay all or part of your taxes electronically by the Monday, May 17 due date.
Some people may automatically have extra time to file their tax returns and pay any taxes due such as disaster victims, taxpayers living overseas including members of the military, and eligible support personnel serving in combat zones.
Resources:
IRS extends additional tax deadlines to May 17
What Is the Due Date of My Federal Tax Return or Am I Eligible to Request an Extension?
Tax Topic 653, IRS Notices and Bills, Penalties, and Interest Charges