Tax Extension Deadline 2022: File Your Return Today Kiplinger Kiplinger is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us.

Tax Extension Deadline File Your 2021 Return Today to Avoid Penalties

If you chose to extend your tax return's due date, the tax extension deadline is here! (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) Newsletter sign up Newsletter (Image credit: Getty Images) By Rocky Mengle last updated 17 October 2022 The tax extension deadline has arrived. Even though the original federal tax return filing deadline for most people was on April 18 this year, the due date for filing an extended return for the 2021 tax year is October 17, 2022 – that's today! So, if you requested an extension to file your federal return, but you haven't filed yet, you probably need to take care of that by midnight tonight to avoid IRS penalties.

State "Stimulus Checks" in 2022 There are exceptions to the October 17 tax extension deadline, though. If you're living abroad or serving in a combat zone, you might be able to delay the due date for a little longer. There are also other tax moves that certain people saving for retirement need to make before the day is over. And, of course, don't forget about your state tax return. Also remember that, in most cases, you still had to pay your 2021 taxes by April 18. If you didn't pay the estimated total tax you owed on time, the IRS can hit you with interest and penalties. So, pay up now if you owe the IRS.

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Taxpayers Living Abroad

Although their path to a filing extension is a bit different, U.S. citizens living outside the country may also be facing an October 17 tax extension deadline. But they can request an additional, discretionary two-month extension to December 15, 2022. To get the additional two months, you must send the IRS a letter by the end of the day today explaining the reasons why you need the extra time. The IRS will let you know if the request is denied. If you don't hear back from them, you're good to go.

Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2022 Tax Year Plus, if you were outside the U.S. before April 18, you could have requested an extension beyond October 17 if you needed time to meet certain tests to qualify for an exclusion or deduction for foreign earned income or housing. This extension is generally for 30 days beyond the date that you expect to qualify for the exclusion or deduction. To request this tax extension, you had to file Form 2350 (opens in new tab) with the IRS by the due date for filing your return. Generally, if both your tax home and your abode are outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico on the regular due date of your return (April 18), the due date for filing your return for purposes of this extension is June 15. If you're granted this tax extension, you can't also get the discretionary two-month additional extension mentioned above.

Service in a Combat Zone

The April 18 due date for filing your tax return (and paying your tax) is automatically extended if you serve in a combat zone. There's a two-step process for figuring the length of a combat zone extension. First, your deadline is extended for 180 days after (1) the last day you're in a combat zone or the last day the area qualifies as a combat zone, or (2) the last day of any continuous hospitalization for an injury from service in the combat zone. Use whichever of these two dates is the latest.

2022 Tax Calendar: Important Tax Due Dates and Deadlines Second, your tax extension deadline is pushed back beyond the first 180 days by the number of days you had left to take action with the IRS when you entered the combat zone. For example, you had 3½ months (January 1 to April 18) to file your tax return this year. Any days left in this period when you entered the combat zone (or the entire 3½ months if you entered it before the beginning of the year) are added to the 180 days. The combat zone extension isn't just for military personnel, either. It can be claimed by merchant marines on ships under the Department of Defense's control, Red Cross personnel, war correspondents and civilians supporting the military.

Retirement Account Due Dates

If you're trying to save money for retirement, you might have another due date to worry about today. First, self-employed people who requested a tax filing extension before April 18 must set up or make 2021 contributions to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA by the end of the day.

What Are the Income Tax Brackets for 2022 vs. 2021? Retirement savers who contributed too much to a traditional or Roth IRA for 2021 also have until the end of today to fix their mistake. If you asked to extend the due date for your tax return, today is the last day to withdraw any excess 2021 IRA contributions (plus any earnings). If you make it in time, you can avoid the IRS's 6% excessive-contribution penalty.

Penalties

And speaking of penalties…if you don't file your tax return by today's tax extension deadline, expect the IRS to tack on a penalty. The late-filing penalty is 5% of the tax due for each month (or part of a month) your return is late. If your return is more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $435 (for tax returns required to be filed in 2022) or the balance of the tax due on your return, whichever is smaller. The maximum penalty is 25%. If you have a good explanation for missing the tax extension deadline, you might be able to avoid the penalty. What's a good reason? Think fire, natural disaster, serious illness and the like. A lack of funds, in and of itself, is not a sufficient reason for failing to file on time. If you want to request a penalty waiver, attach a statement to your return when you do file it fully explaining your reason for being late.

10 Tax Planning Tips for the End of the Year If you're due a refund, then there's not much reason to worry. The IRS won't penalize you for filing a late return if you're due a refund. (They're more than happy to keep your money.)

State Tax Return Extensions

Your state may have different rules and due dates for extended state income tax returns. So, be sure to check with your state's tax agency (opens in new tab) for the tax extension deadline where you live.

What's the Standard Deduction for 2022 vs. 2021? Explore More Tax Tips Rocky MengleSenior Tax Editor, Kiplinger.comRocky is a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, he worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky has a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University. Latest Worried About Inflation? You Can Help Protect Yourself From Its Impact Delaying major purchases can help shield present you, and future you could benefit from continuing to invest and contribute to your retirement plans. By Kelly LaVigne, J.D. • Published 13 November 22 What Is Lifetime Income Insurance Worth? A Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) could be just what you need when markets are down and you're worried about future income. By David Blanchett, PhD, CFA, CFP® • Published 12 November 22 You might also like Student Loan Forgiveness Blocked For Now Due to Court Ruling For now, a Texas federal court ruling has caused the Biden administration to block new applications for student loan forgiveness. By Kelley R. Taylor • Published 11 November 22 $2.04 Billion Powerball Lottery Jackpot Winner Will Have a Massive Tax Bill The $2.04 billion-dollar Powerball jackpot has its big winner and the federal government will get a big chunk of the prize from taxes. By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated 11 November 22 New "Stimulus" Check 2022: Massachusetts Tax Refund Money is Being Sent Now Massachusetts will return nearly $3 billion to eligible taxpayers beginning in November. By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated 9 November 22 What's the Standard Deduction for 2022 vs. 2023? Tax Breaks Most Americans claim the standard deduction on their federal tax return instead of itemized deductions. How much can you claim on your 2022 and 2023 returns? By Rocky Mengle • Last updated 9 November 22 What Are the Capital Gains Tax Rates for 2022 vs. 2023? capital gains tax The capital gains tax rate that applies to a capital gain depends on the type of asset, your taxable income, and how long you held the property sold. By Rocky Mengle • Published 3 November 22 Virginia 2022 "Stimulus" Tax Rebates Many eligible Virginians have received an up to $500 tax rebate check for 2022. By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated 2 November 22 What Are the Income Tax Brackets for 2022 vs. 2023? tax brackets Depending on your taxable income, you can end up in one of seven different federal income tax brackets – each with its own marginal tax rate. By Rocky Mengle • Last updated 9 November 22 California Stimulus Checks: More Debit Cards Going Out This Week If your last name begins with F to M, a California stimulus payment debit card could be in your mailbox soon. By Rocky Mengle • Last updated 7 November 22 View More ▸ kiplinger About Us (opens in new tab) Terms and Conditions (opens in new tab) Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) Cookie Policy (opens in new tab) Kiplinger is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
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