How do you request an extension of the deadline for filing your tax return?

You can get an automatic six-month extension of the deadline for filing your income tax return. To request an extension, submit Form 4868 (Application for Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). It's important to remember that the extension gives you extra time for getting your tax return in order for the IRS. But it doesn't extend the time you have to pay tax due (if you're not getting a refund). Any amount not paid by the April deadline is assessed interest. A late payment penalty is charged if you haven't paid at least 90 percentof your total tax by the April deadline. If your return is completed but you can't pay the full amount of tax due, the IRS wants you to file your return on time and pay as much as you can at that time.