If you're among the millions of taxpayers who haven’t yet submitted your 2025 tax year return, don't panic.
Those who got extensions, and who paid any tax they owed by April 15, still have plenty of time. The extended due date to file returns isn’t until Oct. 15.
Any time in the next few months that you are ready to finish and submit your 2025 tax return, the IRS recommends you do so electronically.
In some cases, you might be able to do that for free.
Use Free File. This online tax preparation and e-filing program is available has been around for decades, thanks to the IRS partnership with the Free File Alliance. That cooperation has been extended through the October 2029 extended filing deadline.
That October date also applies to this this year’s version of Free File, which features software from eight companies. Those options will remain open for eligible filers through Oct. 15.
Taxpayers who currently can use Free File must have income of $84,000 or less. That earnings cutoff is the same regardless of taxpayer filing status.
Consider IRS Free File Fillable Forms. If you made too much money to qualify for Free File, the IRS offers another option.
Free File Fillable Forms is open to everyone, regardless of their earnings. These forms, however, do not include software interaction. You have to fill them in yourself, including doing the associated math.
But if you’re comfortable preparing their own tax returns, Free Fillable Forms will let your submit them electronically, again, as the name says, for free.
Check out military taxpayer assistance. MilTax, a free tax resource offered through the Department of Defense, is still available to eligible members of the military community. Once you verify your service personnel eligibility, you can use MilTax to electronically file a federal tax return and up to three state returns for free.
Turn to commercial e-filing for a fee. If you don’t qualify for free filing options, or aren’t comfortable using Free Fillable Forms, you still can electronically complete and e-file your taxes using commercial software.
As with filings during the January through Tax Day main tax season, commercial filing products securely transmit taxpayer returns through an IRS-approved electronic channel and checked for mistakes.
If the IRS finds easy-to-fix mistakes, such as a math error or an incorrect Social Security number, the IRS immediately sends it back to the taxpayer to fix it and re-file it.
That process also underscores why you shouldn’t wait until the Oct. 15 extension deadline.
Give yourself at least a few days for the checking system to do its job. That way you can resubmit a correct Form 1040 on time and avoid further delays in your return’s processing and the issuance of any potential tax refund.
Get professional e-filing help. If you find you need more help than tax software can provide, find a tax pro who can complete your return and e-file it.
The IRS’ Authorized IRS e-file Provider database, a nationwide listing of all businesses that participate in the IRS e-file program, can help in this search.
Don’t miss this final deadline. Regardless of how you plan to submit your extended Form 1040, remember that the Oct. 15 due date is firm. There are no more extensions for this year’s return.
And if you owe taxes, that unpaid amount already has been accruing tax penalty and interest charges.
So if you can, get to work on your extension sooner rather than at the last minute.
You also might find these items of interest:
- 6 last-minute tax-filing tips that also apply to those on extension
- Tax law changes highlight the importance of professional tax help
- Bill to allow automatic IRS tax filing extensions in disasters awaits presidential signature
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