Important: if you owed taxes but couldn't file by April 15, prepare and e-file your returns as soon as possible - even if you can't afford to pay the taxes due when you file. Then, pay your taxes as soon as you have the budget to do so. Why? It would reduce your late filing penalties which are much higher than late payment penalties! Estimate potential penalties and/or find tax payment options and pay online. Tip: File something even if you can't pay anything! Watch either one of these tax deadline videos for more tax help.
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'til Oct. 15
In case you missed the April 15, 2024 deadline to e-file a 2023 Tax Return or you e-filed an extension by that date, you can e-file your 2023 Taxes until October 15, 2024. After that date, you can only prepare and mail your 2023 Return via paper forms.
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There is a difference between an IRS late filing penalty and a late payment tax penalty. A late filing penalty - which is generally higher than a late payment penalty - occurs if you owe taxes and do not file a tax return or tax extension by April 15, 2024. Even if you can not pay your taxes on time, we strongly suggest you file a tax return or extension by Tax Day or the tax deadline. You will face late payment penalties if you do not pay your due tax if you owe. Find the forms and calculators for back taxes here.
If you are filing late and owe taxes, estimate tax penalties here.
Tax Tip: If you don't owe taxes for Tax Year 2023, you will not be subject to a late filing penalty, even if you file or e-file late. If you expect a tax refund, you should file your return to get your refund. After Oct. 15, 2024, you will no longer be able to e-file 2023 Returns; after April 15, 2027, you will no longer be able to claim your 2023 Tax Refund because it is only available three years following its due date. Don't become part of this statistic of unclaimed tax refunds. You can mail in a return and include direct deposit information for returns filed late on paper.
You'll Be Fine!
If you miss the October deadline, you will have to file back taxes for 2023 and other previous years on paper forms. You can complete these forms online here on eFile.com: previous tax year forms, deadlines, and calculators.
October 15, 2024 Due Dates
The below table outlines the various October tax deadlines to better understand what taxpayers can expect, should they miss the Tax Day deadline. These allow taxpayers some time to gather their tax forms, organize their payments, and asses and pay any penalties they may have accrued. Prepare your return or extension on eFile.com to eliminate or reduce any penalties. Gather all your tax forms and get your return e-filed by the April deadline.
Deadlines
Return Type
Description
October 15, 2024
2023 IRS Income Tax Return
If you e-filed an extension or did notfile a 2023 Tax Return by April 15, 2023 and expect to owe taxes, e-file your 2023 Return by Oct. 15, 2024 to avoid new or additional late filing penalties. Estimate potential late payment penalties here; file even if you can't pay and see tips on paying taxes.
October 15, 2024
2023 State Income Tax Return
If you filed or received a state income tax return extension by April 15, 2024, you can e-file your IRS and state tax return together by Oct. 15, 2024 on eFile.com. Late filing penalties will apply if you owe taxes; e-file even if you can't pay.
October 15, 2024
ONLY prepare one or more state tax returns
Visit this page for details on how to ONLY file a state tax return without the IRS Tax Return. Click for all state income tax return deadline dates.
Ongoing
Calculate, Estimate First, Tax Return Estimate 2023
eFile.com has many helpful tax calculators and tools that help in assessing your tax return before you actually prepare and file. Visit the tax calculator section for the wide range of free tools.
Ongoing
Your Tax Refund Estimate Date - DATEucator Tool
Estimate the date you may receive your federal refund from the IRS after you filed an accepted federal tax return. Once your federal and state returns have been accepted, track your IRS refund and find the status of your state refund.
Tax Return Timeline
Follow this Timeline and You'll Be Fine!
This detailed step-by-step e-file tax return timeline guides you through the preparation process. We have Made Taxes Simple for you Again!
Ongoing
Back Taxes, Previous Tax Years
If you missed the October tax deadline to prepare file a tax return, you can complete the tax forms here on eFile.com and mail in your return to the IRS and/or state agency. Access back tax or previous tax years forms and calculators for past years. You can complete all back tax forms online here on eFile.com for free.
Tax Refund Date April 15, 2027
Unclaimed Tax Refunds
If you expect a tax refund for one or more previous tax years and you have not filed an IRS or state income tax return, you will most likely not be subject to late filing fees and certainly not for late payment penalties. However, you only have three years after the subject tax year to claim your tax refund. After the three years, your tax refund will unfortunately expire and you can no longer claim your hard-earned money back from the IRS. For example, after April 15, 2027, you will no longer be able to claim your 2023 IRS tax refund. Most states follow these or similar tax refund expiration rules and dates.
October 15, 2024
2023 IRS Tax Amendment
The eFile Tax App lets you complete a tax amendment for your 2023 Tax Return for free until Oct. 15, 2024. After that date or for any other tax year, visit the tax amendment section for more details.
2023-2024 Deadlines
Tax Year 2023 Due in 2024
Find all up-to-date and relevant income tax deadlines for Tax Year 2023 and Tax Season 2024.
Tax Day Deadline Myths
Generally, the April deadline only applies if you owe federal and/or state taxes. If you are owed a refund, you likely will not face any penalties for filing after this deadline. Certain circ*mstances may change this, such as owing an outstanding debt or unpaid child support. If you owe taxes, file or e-file a tax extension if you will not be able to file your return by the April deadline. Reasons to file an extension include:
- You are missing a form or other information to properly prepare you taxes
- You are faced with a life changing event and do not have the time or energy to file
- You are out of the country - typically, two months is given
- You are overseas as part of an active-duty military order.
Because the IRS and states close e-filing for returns on or around October 15, use tax software like the eFile Tax App to prepare and e-file your return to avoid manually filing paper forms.
Additional Resources
- See how to pay your due tax after filing or how to set up a payment plan.
- Learn about the benefits of direct deposit when receiving your tax refund.
- State tax return deadlines are generally similar to the IRS deadline - review your state information to see what your deadline is.
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