8/5/2021
If you requested an extension to file your taxes, the deadline to submit your 2020 federal tax return is Friday, October 15, 2021. There are electronic filing, payment and other resources available to help you with your taxes through the October 15 deadline. If you requested an extension you can file whenever you're ready. You must file before the deadline of October 15, 2021 to avoid penalties and interest that may apply. While there is no penalty for filing after the deadline if a refund is due, an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay taxes.
Even if you didn't request an extension, if you owe tax and have yet to file a 2020 tax return you should still file a tax return as soon as possible to reduce possible penalties. If you can't afford to immediately pay the taxes you owe, you can generally avoid additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as possible and paying any balance due.
Special deadline exceptions may apply for some disaster victims, certain military service members and eligible support personnel in combat zones.
Here are some of the tools available to help you with your taxes:
View Your Account Information and Tax Records. You can manage your account online including viewing your balance and payment history, paying taxes, accessing tax records through Get Transcript and more. See these forum posts: How to Get Your Tax Transcript, Here's Why You Should Have an IRS Online Account, and List of IRS Online Tools.
Interactive Tax Assistant. The Interactive Tax Assistant is an online IRS tool that helps you find answers to tax law questions.
IRS Free File. You can file your tax return electronically for free through IRS Free File if your income was $72,000 or less. If you earned more than $72,000, you can use Free File Fillable Forms online, which is the electronic version of IRS paper forms. See this forum post: IRS Free File Can Help People Who Aren't Required to File Find Tax Credits and Get a Refund.
Other Electronic Filing Options. Other electronic filing options include using a free tax return preparation site, commercial software, or a tax professional who is an authorized e-file provider
MilTax online software is available through the Department of Defense to service members and their families, regardless of income.
Filing electronically can help you determine your earned income tax credit, child and dependent care credit, and recovery rebate credit. If you are eligible for a recovery rebate credit and either didn't receive Economic Impact Payments or received less than the full amounts, you must file a 2020 tax return to claim the credit even if you don't usually file.
Direct Deposit for Refunds. The fastest way to get your refund is to file electronically and use direct deposit. If you don't have a bank account, you can visit the FDIC website or use the National Credit Union Administration's Credit Union Locator Tool for information on where to find a bank or credit union to open an account online.
Where's My Refund? Tool. After you file, you can check the status of your refund within 24 hours after the IRS has received your e-filed return. Once the IRS approves a refund, the tool will give you a date by which you can expect it. Where's My Refund? is updated once a day, typically overnight, so there's no need to check the status more often. See this forum post: Check the Status of Your Federal Return
Online Payment Options. If you owes taxes, you should pay as much as possible as soon as possible to reduce interest and penalties. IRS Direct Pay allows you to securely pay from your checking or savings accounts. There are additional payment options on the IRS website. See this forum post: How People Can Pay Their Federal Taxes
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