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1.4 Filing Deadlines & Extensions (Form 4868)

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Enrolled Agent EA

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1 Part 1, Chapter 1: Tax Return Basics & Filing Requirements

1.1 Form 1040 Overview & Structure 1.2 Form 1040-SR for Seniors 1.3 Who Must File (Income Thresholds) 1.4 Filing Deadlines & Extensions (Form 4868) 1.5 Penalties: Failure to File vs. Failure to Pay 1.6 Sources of Tax Information (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s) 1.7 Preparer Due Diligence Requirements 1.8 Amended Returns (Form 1040-X)

2 Part 1, Chapter 2: Filing Status & Dependents

2.1 Single & Married Filing Jointly 2.2 Married Filing Separately 2.3 Head of Household Requirements 2.4 Qualifying Surviving Spouse 2.5 Qualifying Child Test (5 Tests) 2.6 Qualifying Relative Test (4 Tests) 2.7 SSN, ITIN & Residency Status

3 Part 1, Chapter 3: Wages & Employee Compensation

3.1 W-2 Income & Withholding 3.2 Employee vs. Independent Contractor 3.3 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC & 1099-K Reporting 3.4 Fringe Benefits (Taxable vs. Non-Taxable) 3.5 Stock Options (ISO vs. NQSO) 3.6 Special Categories (Clergy, Military, Foreign)

4 Part 1, Chapter 4: Interest, Dividends & Other Income

4.1 Taxable vs. Tax-Exempt Interest 4.2 US Savings Bonds & OID 4.3 Ordinary vs. Qualified Dividends 4.4 Schedule B Requirements 4.5 Rental & Royalty Income Basics 4.6 Alimony, Gambling & Other Income 4.7 Cancelled Debt & Form 1099-C 4.8 Net Operating Loss (NOL)

5 Part 1, Chapter 5: Capital Gains & Property Transactions

5.1 Capital vs. Non-Capital Assets 5.2 Cost Basis Calculation 5.3 Inherited & Gifted Property Basis 5.4 Short-Term vs. Long-Term Gains 5.5 Capital Gains Tax Rates (0%, 15%, 20%) 5.6 Netting & the $3,000 Loss Limit 5.7 Wash Sales & Related Party Rules 5.8 Sale of Primary Residence (Section 121) 5.9 Installment Sales (Form 6252) 5.10 Like-Kind Exchanges (Section 1031)

6 Part 1, Chapter 6: Adjustments to Income

6.1 Educator Expenses & HSA Contributions 6.2 Self-Employment Tax Deduction 6.3 IRA Contributions (Traditional) 6.4 Student Loan Interest Deduction 6.5 Alimony Paid (Pre-2019 Divorces) 6.6 Other Adjustments & New OBBBA Deductions (Tips, Overtime, Auto Loan, Senior Bonus)

7 Part 1, Chapter 7: Deductions (Standard & Itemized)

7.1 Standard Deduction by Filing Status 7.2 Medical & Dental Expenses (7.5% Floor) 7.3 State & Local Taxes (SALT $40K Cap) 7.4 Mortgage Interest Deduction 7.5 Charitable Contributions 7.6 Casualty & Theft Losses 7.7 QBI Deduction (Section 199A)

8 Part 1, Chapter 8: Tax Calculation & Credits

8.1 Tax Tables & Rate Schedules 8.2 Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) 8.3 Self-Employment Tax Calculation 8.4 Child Tax Credit & Additional CTC 8.5 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 8.6 Education Credits (AOC & LLC) 8.7 Child & Dependent Care Credit 8.8 Other Credits (Saver's, Premium Tax)

9 Part 1, Chapter 9: Retirement Accounts & Social Security

9.1 Traditional vs. Roth IRA 9.2 401(k), 403(b) & TSP Basics 9.3 SEP-IRA & SIMPLE IRA 9.4 Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) 9.5 Early Withdrawal Penalties & Exceptions 9.6 Social Security Taxation

10 Part 1, Chapter 10: Specialized Individual Returns

10.1 Estate Tax (Form 706) 10.2 Gift Tax (Form 709) 10.3 Foreign Income (Form 2555) 10.4 FBAR & FATCA Reporting 10.5 Farm Income (Schedule F) 10.6 Disaster Area Rules

11 Part 2, Chapter 11: Business Entity Types

11.1 Overview of Entity Types 11.2 State Law vs. Tax Classification 11.3 Entity Selection: Reasonable Comp & QBI 11.4 Form 8832 & Rev. Proc. 2009-41 11.5 LLC Deep Dive: Spouses & EINs 11.6 Changing Status: The 60-Month Rule

12 Part 2, Chapter 12: Starting a Business

12.1 Hobby vs. Business (Profit Motive) 12.2 Employer Identification Number (EIN) 12.3 Tax Year Selection 12.4 Recordkeeping Requirements 12.5 Statute of Limitations 12.6 Related Party Transactions 12.7 Start-Up Costs, Entity Choice & OBBBA Business Changes (2025)

13 Part 2, Chapter 13: Worker Classification & Payroll

13.1 Employee vs. Independent Contractor 13.2 Common Law Test (Behavioral, Financial, Relationship) 13.3 Statutory Employees & Non-Employees 13.4 Form 941 & Payroll Deposits 13.5 Trust Fund Recovery Penalty 13.6 FUTA & Unemployment Taxes

14 Part 2, Chapter 14: Accounting Methods & Income

14.1 Cash vs. Accrual Method 14.2 Hybrid Methods & Changes 14.3 Inventory & COGS 14.4 Gross Receipts & Income Recognition 14.5 Constructive Receipt 14.6 Form 1099 Reporting Requirements 14.7 §163(j) Business Interest Expense Limitation 14.8 §174 Research & Experimental Expenditures

15 Part 2, Chapter 15: Depreciation & Asset Treatment

15.1 MACRS Basics & Recovery Periods 15.2 Mid-Month, Mid-Quarter, Half-Year Conventions 15.3 Section 179 Expense Deduction 15.4 Bonus Depreciation 15.5 Listed Property Rules 15.6 Amortization of Intangibles 15.7 Depletion 15.8 Disposition of Business Assets

16 Part 2, Chapter 16: Business Deductions

16.1 Ordinary & Necessary Test 16.2 Business Travel Expenses 16.3 Business Meals (50% Limitation) 16.4 Business Use of Vehicle 16.5 Home Office Deduction 16.6 Business Interest Limitation (163(j)) 16.7 Business Bad Debts

17 Part 2, Chapter 17: Business Credits & Fringe Benefits

17.1 General Business Credit Overview 17.2 R&D Credit & Disabled Access Credit 17.3 Small Employer Health Insurance Credit 17.4 Fringe Benefit Rules 17.5 Cafeteria Plans (Section 125) 17.6 Achievement Awards & Other Benefits

18 Part 2, Chapter 18: Sole Proprietorships

18.1 Schedule C Overview 18.2 Calculating Net Profit/Loss 18.3 Self-Employment Tax (Schedule SE) 18.4 Estimated Tax Payments 18.5 Hobby Loss Rules

19 Part 2, Chapter 19: Partnerships

19.1 Partnership Formation 19.2 Partner's Basis Calculation 19.3 Form 1065 Overview 19.4 Schedule K-1 (Partner's Share) 19.5 Guaranteed Payments 19.6 Partnership Distributions 19.7 At-Risk & Passive Activity Rules 19.8 Partnership Termination & Liquidation

20 Part 2, Chapter 20: C Corporations

20.1 Form 1120 Overview 20.2 Corporate Tax Rate (21%) & CAMT 20.3 Accumulated Earnings Tax 20.4 Dividends Received Deduction 20.5 Earnings & Profits (E&P) 20.6 Corporate Distributions, Dividends & Stock Redemptions 20.7 §351 Transfers, §1032, §1202 QSBS & Other Corporate Provisions 20.8 Corporate Liquidation

21 Part 2, Chapter 21: S Corporations

21.1 S Election Requirements (Form 2553) 21.2 Form 1120-S Overview 21.3 Shareholder Basis Calculation 21.4 Reasonable Compensation 21.5 S Corporation Distributions 21.6 Built-In Gains Tax & Termination

22 Part 2, Chapter 22: Specialized Business Returns

22.1 Trusts & Estates (Form 1041) 22.2 Simple vs. Complex Trusts 22.3 Distributable Net Income (DNI) 22.4 Tax-Exempt Organizations (Form 990) 22.5 Retirement Plans (Form 5500) 22.6 Qualified Retirement Plans Overview 22.7 Farm Taxation 22.8 Rental Real Estate Activities

23 Part 3, Chapter 23: Practice Before the IRS

23.1 What is Practice Before the IRS? 23.2 Who Can Practice (Full Rights) 23.3 Limited Practice Rights (AFSP, Unenrolled) 23.4 Special Relationships (Family, Employees) 23.5 PTIN Requirements 23.6 Circular 230 Overview 23.7 Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)

24 Part 3, Chapter 24: Becoming & Maintaining EA Status

24.1 Two Paths to EA (Exam vs. IRS Experience) 24.2 Application Process (Form 23) 24.3 Background & Compliance Checks 24.4 Renewal Requirements (Form 8554) 24.5 Continuing Education Requirements 24.6 Inactive Status & Termination

25 Part 3, Chapter 25: Practitioner Duties (Circular 230)

25.1 Due Diligence Requirements 25.2 Knowledge of Client's Omission 25.3 Conflict of Interest Rules 25.4 Fee Requirements (Contingent, Unconscionable) 25.5 Advertising & Solicitation Rules 25.6 Tax Return Position Standards 25.7 Written Advice Standards 25.8 Sanctions & Penalties for Violations

26 Part 3, Chapter 26: Power of Attorney & Authorization

26.1 Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) 26.2 CAF (Centralized Authorization File) 26.3 Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) 26.4 Third-Party Designee 26.5 Signing Returns for Taxpayers 26.6 Client Confidentiality & Privilege 26.7 Representing Clients in Audits (Examination) 26.8 Appealing IRS Decisions 26.9 Collection Representation

27 Part 3, Chapter 27: Legal Authority & Research

27.1 Hierarchy of Tax Authority 27.2 Internal Revenue Code 27.3 Treasury Regulations 27.4 Revenue Rulings & Procedures 27.5 Court Cases & Precedent 27.6 Statutes of Limitations

28 Part 3, Chapter 28: Specific Representation Issues

28.1 Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) 28.2 Innocent Spouse Relief (Form 8857) 28.3 Injured Spouse Allocation (Form 8379) 28.4 Penalty Abatement (FTA & Reasonable Cause) 28.5 Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) 28.6 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

29 Part 3, Chapter 29: Final Review & Exam Strategy

29.1 Exam Structure & Logistics (2026-2027) 29.2 The "Clock" of Representation (Master Deadlines) 29.3 Ethics vs. Law (Sanctions & Penalties) 29.4 Final Mock Review & Exam Strategy

30 Part 3, Chapter 30: Filing Process & E-File

30.1 E-File Requirements (The "More Than 10 Returns" Rule) 30.2 ERO Responsibilities 30.3 EFIN & Application Process 30.4 Form 8879 (Signature Authorization) 30.5 Record Retention & Data Security (WISP) 30.6 Preparer Penalties (Filing Specific)

1.4 Filing Deadlines & Extensions (Form 4868)

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The standard filing deadline for Form 1040 is April 15 (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday)

For tax year 2025, returns are due April 15, 2026; with an extension, until October 15, 2026

Form 4868 provides an automatic 6-month extension to file, but taxes owed are still due by April 15

U.S. citizens and residents living abroad get an automatic 2-month extension to June 15 without filing any form

Combat zone personnel receive 180 days after leaving the combat zone plus the number of days remaining until April 15 when they entered

Disaster area taxpayers receive automatic extensions for both filing AND payment, with dates announced by the IRS

Last updated: October 2026

Filing Deadlines & Extensions

Every tax professional must master the rules governing when returns are due and how to properly extend filing deadlines. This is frequently tested on the EA exam because it directly impacts your day-to-day work with clients.

Standard Filing Deadline: April 15

The Form 1040 is due on the 15th day of the 4th month following the end of the tax year. For calendar year taxpayers, this means April 15 of the following year.

Weekend and Holiday Rule: If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

For the 2025 tax year (tested on the EA exam July 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027), returns are due April 15, 2026 . With Form 4868 extension, the deadline becomes October 15, 2026 .

The Automatic 6-Month Extension (Form 4868)

Taxpayers who need more time to file can request an automatic extension using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return .

  • Form 4868 Key Points Details
  • Extension Length 6 months (April 15 to October 15)
  • Reason Required? No - extension is automatic
  • How to File Electronically (IRS Free File, tax software) or by mail
  • Deadline to Request Must be filed by April 15
  • Payment Required? Should estimate and pay any tax owed

Critical Exam Point: Filing Form 4868 extends your time to file the return. It does NOT extend your time to pay any tax owed. If you owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, you will be subject to failure-to-pay penalties and interest, even if you filed for an extension.

How to File Form 4868

There are three primary ways to request an extension:

  • IRS Free File - Available to all taxpayers at IRS.gov, regardless of income
  • Electronic Filing - Through tax preparation software or a tax professional
  • Paper Filing - Mail Form 4868 to the IRS (must be postmarked by April 15)

Payment Tip: If you make an electronic payment and select "extension" as the payment type, you receive confirmation and do not need to file a separate Form 4868.

Estimated Tax Payment with Extension

When filing Form 4868, you must estimate your total tax liability for the year. If you expect to owe additional tax:

Pay at least 90% of the tax due to avoid the failure-to-pay penalty

Any remaining balance paid by October 15 will not incur failure-to-pay penalties (though interest still applies)

If you significantly underestimate your tax liability, you may face underpayment penalties under IRC Section 6654.

  • Special Extension Categories
  • Taxpayers Outside the United States

U.S. citizens and resident aliens whose tax home and abode are outside the United States and Puerto Rico on April 15 receive an automatic 2-month extension to file and pay.

  • Outside U.S. Extension Details
  • New Filing Deadline June 15 (or next business day)
  • Form Required? No - automatic if you qualify
  • Payment Extension? Yes, but interest accrues from April 15
  • Additional Extension? Can file Form 4868 by June 15 for 4 more months (to October 15)

Important Distinction: This applies only if you are living abroad with your main place of business or post of duty outside the U.S. Simply traveling on vacation or a business trip on April 15 does NOT qualify.

Combat Zone Extensions

Military personnel serving in a designated combat zone receive generous deadline extensions for filing and paying taxes. This also applies to:

  • Civilian support personnel
  • Military contractors
  • Press correspondents working in combat zones

Combat Zone Extension Calculation:

  • Component How It Works
  • Base Extension 180 days after leaving the combat zone
  • Plus Days remaining until April 15 when entering the zone
  • Applies To Filing, paying, and most IRS actions

Example: A soldier enters a combat zone on February 1. He leaves on March 31 of the following year. His extension equals:

  • 180 days from March 31
  • Plus 74 days (February 1 through April 15)
  • Total: 254 days from March 31
  • Disaster Area Extensions

When the President declares a federal disaster area, the IRS provides automatic extensions for affected taxpayers:

  • Disaster Relief Details
  • Filing Extension Yes - automatic
  • Payment Extension Yes - automatic (no penalties or interest)
  • Form Required? No - IRS identifies affected areas automatically
  • Who Qualifies Residents, businesses, and relief workers in the disaster area

The IRS announces specific deadline extensions for each disaster. These can vary from a few weeks to several months.

Key for Exam: Unlike Form 4868 extensions, disaster area extensions provide relief from both filing AND payment penalties.

Summary: Extension Types at a Glance

  • Situation Filing Deadline Payment Deadline Form Required
  • Standard (no extension) April 15 April 15 None
  • Form 4868 Extension October 15 April 15 Form 4868
  • Living Abroad June 15 June 15 (interest from April 15) None
  • Living Abroad + Form 4868 October 15 June 15 (interest from April 15) Form 4868 by June 15
  • Combat Zone 180 days + remaining days Same as filing None
  • Disaster Area IRS announced date Same as filing None