Tips for Taxpayers Who Missed the April Filing Deadline

While the federal income tax-filing deadline has come and gone, some taxpayers haven’t filed or paid their taxes.

Here are some tips for handling common issues after the filing deadline has passed:

Anyone who didn’t file and owes tax should file a return as soon as possible and pay as much as possible to reduce penalties and interest. There’s no penalty for filing a late return if a refund is due. Penalties and interest only accrue on unfiled returns of taxpayers who don’t pay by the deadline.

For those who qualify, IRS Free File is still available on IRS.gov through October 15 to prepare and file returns electronically.

Filing soon is especially important because the late-filing penalty on unpaid taxes adds up quickly. Alternatively, taxpayers who have a history of filing and paying on time sometimes qualify for penalty relief.

Taxpayers who owe taxes can view their balance, and pay with IRS Direct Pay, or by debit or credit card. They can also apply online for a payment plan, including an installment agreement. Before accessing their tax account online, users must authenticate their identity through the Secure Access process. Several other electronic payment options are available on IRS.gov/payments.

The IRS will usually correct any math errors on a return and notify the taxpayer by mail. Similarly, the agency will send a letter requesting any missing forms or schedules.

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