TaxAct Professional supports the completion of Form 4868 (Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return) for your client’s federal return, as well as any necessary extension forms for states, if applicable. Form 4868 must be filed by the regular due date of the return.

Please Note: Filing an extension ONLY extends the time to file the return and does not extend the time to pay any taxes due.

To complete a federal and/or state extension:

  1. From within the Q&A view of the return, click on the Filing tab
  2. Click the File Extension link directly below the tabs
    • File Extension
  3. The program will proceed with the interview questions for you to enter the appropriate information. On the screen titled Form 4868 – Filing, you will have the option to either print or e-file your federal extension only. State extensions can be printed later in the interview process.

If you expect to receive a refund for that client (i.e. their total 2017 payments are more than their estimated tax liability), the program will automatically enter zero (0) for your balance due on Line 6.