Tax Day 2024 is April 15

Tax Day in 2024 falls on Monday, April 15. This is the deadline to file your federal income tax return with the IRS or request an extension. If you owe taxes, payment is also due by this date. If you expect a refund, filing by Tax Day does not affect when you receive it — the IRS processes returns throughout the year.

The date is set by federal law and does not change year to year unless it falls on a weekend or federal holiday. April 15 is a regular Monday in 2024, so there is no automatic extension. However, you can request a six-month extension to file, which moves your deadline to October 15, 2024. An extension to file does not extend the deadline to pay taxes owed.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 tax filing deadline is April 15, and this applies to federal income tax returns filed with the IRS.
  • If you owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, you will owe penalties and interest on the unpaid amount, even if you file an extension.
  • You can request a six-month extension to file your return, moving the deadline to October 15, but this does not delay the tax payment deadline.
  • If you expect a refund, filing before April 15 does not speed up the refund — the IRS processes returns throughout the filing season.
  • State tax deadlines may differ from the federal deadline, so check your state's requirements separately.

What Happens If You Miss April 15

If you do not file your return or request an extension by April 15, the IRS will charge you a failure-to-file penalty. This penalty is usually 5 percent of the unpaid tax for each month your return is late, up to 25 percent total. You will also owe interest on any unpaid taxes from April 15 onward, calculated daily.

If you owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, a separate failure-to-pay penalty applies: 0.5 percent of your unpaid tax per month, up to 25 percent. Interest accrues on top of both penalties. Filing an extension stops the failure-to-file penalty but does not stop the failure-to-pay penalty or interest if you owe money.

If you cannot pay in full by April 15, you can still file your return on time and set up a payment plan with the IRS. This stops the failure-to-file penalty and shows the IRS you are working to resolve the debt. The failure-to-pay penalty and interest will continue to accrue, but at a slower rate than if you do not file at all.

How to Request a Filing Extension

To request a six-month extension, you file Form 4868 with the IRS. You can file this form electronically through tax software, by mail, or through a tax professional. You do not need a reason to request an extension — the IRS grants them automatically if you file the form by April 15.

Filing Form 4868 moves your filing deadline to October 15, 2024. However, you must still pay any taxes you owe by April 15. If you cannot pay the full amount, you can make a payment with the extension form and set up a payment plan for the remainder. The IRS will calculate an estimate of what you owe based on your withholding and prior returns.

If you file an extension but do not file your actual return by October 15, the same penalties apply as if you had missed April 15 — they simply accrue for a longer period. An extension is a deadline to file, not a deadline to pay.

State Tax Deadlines May Differ

Most states align their tax deadline with the federal deadline of April 15, but some do not. A few states have no income tax at all, so there is no state filing deadline. Others may have different dates or different rules for extensions.

If you live in a state with income tax, check your state's tax agency website or contact them directly to confirm the deadline. Some states automatically grant an extension if you file a federal extension, while others require a separate state extension form. Filing a federal extension does not automatically extend your state deadline.

Who Must File by April 15

You must file a federal return by April 15 if your income exceeds the filing threshold for your age and filing status. The threshold varies — for example, a single person under 65 with less than $13,850 in income in 2023 generally does not have to file, but someone who is self-employed must file if they earned $400 or more. The IRS publishes updated thresholds each year.

Even if you do not have to file, you may want to file anyway if you had taxes withheld from paychecks or made estimated tax payments. Filing allows you to claim a refund of those amounts. Additionally, if you received certain tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, you must file to claim them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday?

In 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so the deadline is April 15. In years when April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline moves to the following Monday. If April 15 falls on a federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. The IRS announces any changes in advance.

Can I file my 2024 return after October 15 if I got an extension?

You can file after October 15, but you will owe penalties and interest for every day late. The extension gives you until October 15 without penalty — after that date, the failure-to-file penalty resumes. Filing late does not erase the penalty; it only stops it from growing further once you file.

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

Yes. An extension moves the filing deadline to October 15, but the payment deadline stays April 15. If you owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, you owe failure-to-pay penalties and interest, even with an extension. You can set up a payment plan to avoid the full penalty.

What if I expect a refund — do I need to file by April 15?

There is no penalty for filing a refund return late, but the IRS will not process your return or send your refund until you file. Refunds are processed year-round, so filing earlier does not speed up the refund. However, the IRS can only hold a refund for three years before it goes to the state.