How to Get an Extension for Filing Your Tax Return

For most of us, the deadline for filing your 2018 federal income tax return is April 15, 2019 (April 17 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts). But what if, for some reason, you just can't file your return on time? Don't freak out - it's easy to get an automatic six-month filing extension to October 15. You don't even need to have a good excuse or explain why you're asking for more time.

Be warned, though, that an extension to file doesn't extend the time to pay your tax. If you don't pay the estimated total tax you owe by