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If you filed an extension for your 2025 individual income tax return, remember that the extended due date is October 15, 2026. That is the deadline to file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR if you requested an automatic 6-month extension. There are no further extensions.
Please do not wait until the last minute. Our office needs time to complete your return, review the information, and make sure everything is reported correctly. If you bring your documents in too close to the deadline, there may not be enough time to finish your return before the extended due date.
Missing Information Can Delay Your Return
One of the biggest reasons returns get delayed is missing information. This might include:
- K-1s
- Brokerage statements
- Retirement account forms
- Final wage statements
- Charitable contribution records
- Property tax bills
- Health insurance forms
- Business income and expense records
If we do not have everything we need, your return may not be able to be completed on time. If the missing information will not be available before October 15, 2026, please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss the best option for your situation.
What if the Information Will Not Be Ready in Time?
If your return cannot be completed by the extended due date because key information is still missing, do not ignore the issue. Contact your tax adviser right away. Depending on your facts, there may be options to reduce filing problems, but the important thing is to communicate early instead of waiting until the deadline has passed.
Late Filing Can Be Costly
If you file late or pay late, the IRS will charge interest and penalties on the amount you owe. That is why it is so important to get your return completed and filed by the due date, or to speak with us before the deadline if there is a problem.
If your return is filed after the due date, the IRS generally charges a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the return is late, up to a maximum of 25%
Even if you file an extension, interest is charged on tax not paid by the original due date. For a 2025 individual return, that means interest generally begins running from April 15, 2026, not October 15, 2026.
The IRS underpayment interest rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. In other words, the interest rate changes over time, but it is not zero just because you filed an extension. Currently the rate is 7%.
What if the Extended Return Results in a Refund?
If your extended return results in a refund, the failure-to-file penalty generally does not apply because there is no unpaid tax shown on the return on which to apply the penalty rate. However, you still should file the return as soon as possible.
If you are due a refund but do not file a return, you must generally file within three years from the date the return was due, including extensions, to claim that refund.
Paying Online Is Usually the Best Option
If you owe tax, paying online is generally the safest and fastest option. It avoids the risk of mailing delays, lost envelopes, and potential theft from a mailbox. The IRS also notes that mailed returns may depend on the postmark date, and late filing can lead to interest and penalties.
Because USPS delivery can be delayed, do not assume that mailing a payment at the last minute will protect you. Online payment is usually the better choice.
You can make an online IRS payment here:
https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay
Most states have similar online payments capabilities.
Final Reminder
If you have an extension for your 2025 individual return, please gather your documents early and provide them to us as soon as possible. The sooner we receive everything, the better chance we have of completing your return before the October 15 deadline.
If the information needed to complete your return will not be available by October 15, 2026, please contact the Experts at Henssler Financial immediately so we can help you plan the next step.
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
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