Tax Day 2024 is Monday, April 15

The deadline to file your 2023 federal income tax return with the IRS is Monday, April 15, 2024. This is the date your return must be postmarked if you mail it, or received by the IRS if you file electronically. If you owe taxes, payment is also due by this date.

April 15 falls on a Monday in 2024, so there is no weekend extension. The IRS does not automatically extend the deadline because of the day of the week — you must request an extension in writing if you cannot file by April 15.

State income tax deadlines usually match the federal deadline, though a few states have different dates. Check your state's tax agency website if you file in a state other than where you live or work.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 federal tax deadline is Monday, April 15, 2024, for returns covering the 2023 tax year.
  • If you file by mail, your return must be postmarked by April 15; if you file electronically, it must be received by the IRS by that date.
  • You can request a six-month extension to file, but taxes owed are still due on April 15 regardless of whether you file an extension.
  • Most states follow the same April 15 deadline, but a few have different dates, so check your state's requirements.

What Happens If You Miss April 15

If you do not file by April 15 and do not have an extension, the IRS charges a failure-to-file penalty. The penalty is usually 5 percent of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month that the return is late, up to 25 percent. If you owe money, interest also begins to accrue on the unpaid amount from April 15 onward.

If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty for filing late — you simply receive your refund later. However, the IRS can only refund taxes going back three years, so filing very late can cost you money if your refund window closes.

How to Request a Filing Extension

You can request a six-month extension to file your return, which moves your deadline to October 15, 2024. To request an extension, file Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) with the IRS by April 15. You can file Form 4868 electronically through tax software, by mail, or through a tax professional.

An extension to file is not an extension to pay. If you owe taxes, that payment is still due on April 15, even if you file an extension. If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS, but paying late incurs interest and penalties.

Filing an extension does not trigger an audit or raise red flags with the IRS. Millions of people file extensions every year for routine reasons — travel, missing documents, or simply needing more time to organize records.

Electronic Filing vs. Paper Returns

Electronic returns are processed faster and have lower error rates than paper returns. If you file electronically, your return must reach the IRS by April 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you file by mail, your return must be postmarked by April 15; the IRS will accept it if it arrives later, as long as the postmark shows April 15 or earlier.

The IRS encourages electronic filing and offers free filing options through IRS Free File if your income is below a certain threshold (the income limit varies by year). Tax software companies also offer free federal filing during tax season.

State Tax Deadlines

Most states that have an income tax follow the federal April 15 deadline. However, a few states have different dates. For example, some states may allow an extra day or two if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday in that state. A small number of states have entirely different deadlines for specific types of returns.

If you work or live in more than one state, check each state's tax agency website for the correct deadline. Some states also have different extension deadlines than the federal six-month extension.

What You Need to File

To file your return by April 15, gather your W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for other income (freelance work, interest, dividends), receipts for deductions you plan to claim, and records of any tax payments you made during 2023. If you itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, organize receipts for mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations, and medical expenses.

If you are missing a W-2 or 1099 by early April, contact the employer or payer directly. The IRS requires employers to send W-2s by January 31, but if yours is late, you can file your return using the information you have and amend it later when the form arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my 2023 taxes before April 15, 2024?

Yes. The IRS begins accepting returns in late January each year. Filing early can speed up your refund if you are owed money. There is no penalty or disadvantage to filing before April 15.

What if April 15 is a holiday or weekend?

In 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so there is no weekend extension. If April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday in other years, the deadline moves to the following Monday. If a federal holiday falls on April 15, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Do I have to pay taxes owed by April 15 even if I file an extension?

Yes. An extension to file does not extend the payment deadline. Taxes owed are due on April 15 regardless. If you cannot pay in full, the IRS offers payment plans and short-term extensions to pay, but interest and penalties apply to unpaid amounts.

What if I owe money and cannot pay by April 15?

Contact the IRS to set up a payment plan. You can arrange to pay in installments over time. Interest and a failure-to-pay penalty will be added to your balance, but a payment plan stops additional penalties from accruing and shows the IRS you are working to resolve the debt.

Is there a penalty if I file my return late but I am owed a refund?

No penalty applies if you are owed a refund. However, the IRS can only refund taxes from the past three years. If you file more than three years late, you lose the right to claim older refunds.