Heads up if you haven’t submitted your tax return – the deadline is just around the corner.

April 15 is the deadline for most Americans to file their 2023 tax return. But what can you do if you’re not ready to hit the send button? Or, what do you do if you owe money but you can’t pay.

Here’s what the Internal Revenue Service recommends:

Unable to file by the April 15 deadline? How to file for an extension

If you’re unable to file by April 15, you can request an extension. It’s important to note, however, that extra time gives an extension on tax filing, not paying any money that’s owed.

Individual tax filers, regardless of income, can electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension through IRS Free File by filing a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax ReturnPDF.

You can make electronic payments using Direct Pay, debit card, credit card or digital wallet and indicate the payment is for an extension. Also, you need to mail Form 4868 by the tax deadline.

Tax extensions allow you six additional months to submit your return.

What if you owe money?

You can avoid paying interest and some penalties by paying your balance due by April 15, even if you file for an extension. For residents of Maine or Massachusetts, the tax deadline is Wednesday, April 17, due to Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day holidays.

If you can pay your bill in full via:

Direct Pay

Pay via debit card, credit card or digital wallet

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System – This service allows you to pay taxes by phone or online

Electronic funds withdrawal – File and pay electronically from your bank.

Check or money order – Payments made by check or money order should be made payable to the “United States Treasury.”

Cash – Make a cash payment through a retail partner and other methods. The IRS urges taxpayers choosing this option to start early because it involves a four-step process. Details, including answers to frequently asked questions, are at IRS.gov/paywithcash.

What if you’re unable to pay your taxes in full?

If you’re unable to pay your taxes in full by the deadline, the IRS recommends paying what you can now and then applying for an online payment plan. The online portal gives you an immediate response to a payment plan without writing or calling the IRS.

The payment plans can include:

• Short-term payment plan – The total balance owed is less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Additional time of up to 180 days to pay the balance in full.
• Long-term payment plan – The total balance owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Pay in monthly payments for up to 72 months. Payments may be set up using direct debit (automatic bank withdrawal) which eliminates the need to send in a payment each month, saving postage costs and reducing the chance of default. For balances between $25,000 and $50,000, direct debit is required.
• Interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15 but the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information about the costs of payment plans on the IRS’ Additional information on payment plans webpage.