The due date for filing a federal individual income tax return is generally April 15 of each year. If you use the fiscal year system (that is, the tax year ends on the last day of any month except December), your tax filing deadline is the 15th day of the fourth month after the end of the fiscal year. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, the deadline will be extended to the next business day.

*For example, April 15, 2017 is a Saturday, and Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia falls on Sunday, April 16, 2017, so the holiday will be made on Monday, April 17, 2017. So even if you don't live in the District of Columbia, the deadline for the 2016 tax year is Tuesday, April 18, 2017. . Your return is considered on time if your envelope is correctly addressed and postmarked and placed in the postal system before the deadline.

Extension Filing

If you are unable to file by the tax filing deadline, you should request an extension. To get an automatic six-month extension of time to file your tax return, you can file Form 4868. Request an extension before the tax filing deadline. Extension of filing does not extend the due date for paying the tax, so if the tax is not paid by the original due date of the return, any tax not paid by the original due date of the return may also be subject to late payment fees.

There are three ways to request an automatic extension of the U.S. personal income tax filing deadline. You must request an extension before the regular tax filing deadline to avoid incurring penalties for late filing. Extending the tax filing deadline does not mean extending the tax payment deadline.

You can request an extension of time to file your tax return in any of the following ways:

1. Use IRS Direct Pay, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or use a credit card or debit A debit card pays all or part of the estimated income tax due and states that the payment is for deferred taxes. You will receive a confirmation number for your records.

2. Submit Form E-file 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of U.S. Individual Income Tax Filing Time Limits, using your own computer or through a tax professional who uses electronic filing.

3. Submit paper Form 4868 and attach the estimated tax you will pay. NOTE: Taxpayers must submit paper Form 4868 for the fiscal year.