The Internal Revenue Service announced Monday which taxpayers qualify for a tax extension.
Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file a return.
"Not everyone has to ask for more time, however," the IRS points out — disaster victims, taxpayers serving in combat zones and those living abroad automatically have longer to file.
An extension of time to file "will also automatically process when taxpayers pay all or part of their taxes electronically" by this year's April 18 due date, the IRS said.
Although taxpayers can file up to six months later when they have an extension, taxes are still owed by the original due date, the agency said.
The IRS lays out who qualifies for automatic extensions:
Disaster Areas
Taxpayers affected by the December 2021 tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee have until May 16 to file their 2021 returns and pay any tax due, as do those who faced the Colorado wildfires and straight-line winds that began Dec. 30, the IRS said.
Also, those affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides that began on Feb. 4 in Puerto Rico will have until June 15 to file and pay.
The IRS states that it "automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in a federally declared disaster area when at least one area qualifies for FEMA's Individual Assistance program. Ordinarily, this means that taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get disaster tax relief."
This relief also includes more time for making 2021 contributions to IRAs and other plans and making 2022 estimated tax payments.
"In some cases, relief is also available to people living outside the disaster area if, for example, they have a business located in the disaster area, have tax records located in the disaster area or are assisting in disaster relief," the IRS said.
