Tax Day 2024 is April 15

Tax Day in 2024 is Monday, April 15. This is the deadline to file your federal income tax return with the IRS, or to request an extension if you cannot file by that date. If April 15 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day — but in 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so the deadline does not shift.

The same April 15 deadline applies to most state income tax returns as well, though a handful of states have different dates. If you owe taxes, payment is also due by April 15 unless you have arranged a payment plan with the IRS beforehand.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal tax filing deadline for 2024 is April 15, a Monday, with no extension of the date.
  • You can request a six-month extension to file, but any taxes you owe are still due on April 15 — the extension only delays filing the return itself.
  • State income tax deadlines usually match the federal deadline of April 15, though you should verify your state's specific date.
  • Filing electronically and paying by direct debit is faster and more reliable than mailing a paper return or sending a check.

What Happens If You Miss April 15

If you do not file by April 15 and do not have an extension, the IRS will charge a failure-to-file penalty on top of any taxes you owe. 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 total. If you owe no tax — because you had too much withheld or you do not owe anything — there is no penalty for filing late.

If you owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, you will also owe a failure-to-pay penalty and interest on the unpaid amount. Interest accrues daily from April 15 until you pay. The longer you wait, the more you owe in penalties and interest combined.

How to Request an Extension

You can request a six-month extension to file your return, which moves your filing deadline to October 15, 2024. To request an extension, you file Form 4868 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 does not extend the deadline to pay taxes you owe. If you expect to owe money, you should estimate what you will owe and pay it by April 15 anyway. If you pay by April 15 but file late, you will avoid the failure-to-pay penalty — you will only owe the smaller failure-to-file penalty if your return is late.

If you file Form 4868 and pay any estimated tax due by April 15, the IRS will not penalize you for filing your actual return by October 15 instead.

State Tax Deadlines for 2024

Most states that have an income tax follow the federal deadline of April 15, 2024. However, a few states have different dates or different rules. Massachusetts and Maine, for example, observe Patriots' Day on the third Monday of April, which in 2024 is April 15 — so their deadline is April 16. If you live in a state with income tax, check your state's tax agency website to confirm the exact deadline, especially if you are filing an extension.

Some states do not have an income tax at all, including Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you live in one of these states, you only need to worry about the federal deadline.

Filing Electronically vs. Mailing a Paper Return

The IRS processes electronic returns much faster than paper returns. If you file electronically and request a direct debit payment, your return can be processed within two weeks. A mailed paper return can take six weeks or longer to process, and if you include a check, there is a delay while the IRS deposits it.

Electronic filing also reduces the chance of errors — tax software checks your math and flags missing information before you submit. If you mail a paper return and make a mistake, the IRS will contact you, which delays any refund you are owed.

You can file electronically for free through IRS Free File if your income is below a certain threshold (the limit changes each year). If your income is higher, you can use paid tax software or hire a tax professional to file for you.

What to Do If You Cannot File by April 15

If you realize you cannot file by April 15, file Form 4868 immediately — do not wait until April 15 itself. Filing the extension form early gives you a buffer and shows the IRS you are trying to comply. If you owe taxes, pay as much as you can by April 15 to reduce penalties and interest.

If you are waiting for documents like a W-2 or 1099 form, you can file an extension and file your return once you receive them. Employers are required to send W-2s by January 31, and most third-party payers send 1099s by the same date, so you should have these documents well before April 15. If a document is late, contact the issuer and ask for a copy or an estimate you can use to file on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if April 15 is a Saturday or Sunday?

If April 15 falls on a Saturday, the deadline moves to Monday, April 17. If it falls on a Sunday, the deadline moves to Monday, April 16. In 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so the deadline does not shift. The IRS website lists the exact deadline each year.

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

Yes. An extension to file only delays when you submit your return, not when you pay. If you owe taxes, you should pay by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest. You can estimate what you owe and pay that amount, then adjust when you file your actual return in October.

Can I file my state return after the federal deadline?

Most states follow the federal April 15 deadline, but a few have different dates. Check your state's tax agency website to confirm. If you file a federal extension, you can usually file a state extension at the same time, though some states require a separate form.

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

You can set up a payment plan with the IRS for any amount you cannot pay immediately. Payment plans have a setup fee and monthly payments, but they stop penalties from growing as quickly. You can request a payment plan online through the IRS website or by calling the IRS.

Do I need to file if I did not earn much money in 2024?

It depends on your income and filing status. The IRS sets a threshold each year — if your income is below that threshold, you are not required to file. However, if you had taxes withheld from paychecks or you are due a refund, filing gets you that money back. Check the IRS website for the 2024 income thresholds for your filing status.