*->USA Income Tax Deadline for Individuals moved to May 17, 2021, File Form 4868 by Apr 15 for Automatic Extension to Oct 15, 2021*

For 2020 returns, the USA Income Tax Deadline for Individuals was extended from April 15, 2021 until May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers who want an Automatic Extension for Six Months until October 15, 2021 must file IRS Form 4868 TODAY.

The Instructions to Form 4868 state that the deadline for filing that form is today, April 15, 2021. It would be sleazy and unethical, but technically the IRS could assess a Late Filing Penalty plus interest for anyone who realizes that they need more time than May 17, and files Form 4868 after April 15.

IRS Form 4868 provides for estimated tax payments with it. If you know that you owe a significant amount of taxes, getting an extension will not eliminate penalties and interest for paying after April 15, 2021.

Note that the income tax filing for corporations or Estates or Trusts has NOT been extended in 2021 for the pandemic, as it was in 2020. IRS Form 7004 is used to automatically extend those returns.