How to File for a Tax Extension Over the Phone

Most American taxpayers approach the April 15 tax filing deadline with an unrivaled sense of dread. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes that, for a variety of reasons, many people need more time to submit a completed tax return. They may need more time to get their records organized, or to get that last W-2, or other extenuating circumstances.

If you're in one of those situations, the IRS may allow you to file an extension on your tax return. You can get up to six extra months to submit a completed tax return, and an additional two months after that, if you're out of the country on the date your extension expires.

While this doesn't mean you get an extension to pay - whatever income taxes you owe are due immediately when you submit your taxes - you can file for an extension on your taxes by mail, online using tax prep software, through a tax professional and, easiest of all, by telephone. It's easy!

Estimate your projected income tax liability for the year. Fill out as much information as you can, as accurately as you can, on your tax form of choice without sending it in. Make as accurate an estimate of what you owe the IRS.

Call the IRS extension phone line 1-888-796-1074. You must call before midnight on April 15, or the date of that year's tax filing deadline, if it's different.

Follow the phone prompts to submit your personal information. Be very careful when putting in any birth dates and Social Security numbers - this is how the IRS tracks your tax extension. The phone system will ask you a few questions to process your tax return extension.

Input your projected tax liability. Remember, a tax extension doesn't extend your payment deadline, only the time you have to submit your tax return.

Pay at least $1 toward your tax liability. If you owe the IRS an income tax payment, the system requires you to pay a minimum of one dollar toward the amount to file your tax extension request over the phone. You can use any major credit card, or a debit Visa or MasterCard.

Do not hang up until you've received your confirmation number. When the IRS processes your phone request for a tax extension, it will generate a confirmation number that serves as a record of your request.

Write down your confirmation number and keep it in a safe place. If, for any reason, you run into a problem later on, you can use your confirmation number to help the IRS call up the details of your tax extension request.

Filing for a tax extension over the phone doesn't work year-round, only during tax high season, right up until midnight of the deadline date to file a return. If you call in early-to-mid-January and you get a message that the phone number isn't in yet order, try calling back in late January or even early February, when the service may be available. A phone request for an extension is a quick, convenient way to get you that extra time you need to get your records in order and file an accurate, complete tax return.