IR-2009-36, April 7, 2009 WASHINGTON — Taxpayers who need more time to complete their returns should submit their requests for an automatic extension electronically by April 15, the Internal Revenue Service urged today. This year, anyone, regardless of income, can e-file their extensions at no cost from a home computer using IRS traditional FreeFile or Free File Fillable Forms. E-filing a request for an extension using either form of FreeFile is convenient, safe and secure, and taxpayers receive confirmation to keep with their records. The IRS expects to receive 1.9 million extension requests electronically this year. A total of almost 10 million extension requests are expected during 2009 compared with 9.5 million extensions received during 2008. The extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file the tax return. An extension does not give the taxpayer an extension of time to pay. Those who owe taxes can make a payment when they file the extension either by mailing a check or by several electronic payment methods, such as electronic funds withdrawals from bank accounts and credit card payments. Taxpayers can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file their tax returns by filing Form 4868 PDF, Automatic Extension of Time to File. Taxpayers can e-file the extension from a home computer or through a tax professional who uses e-file. Some taxpayers can wait until after April 15 to file a return, pay any taxes due and make IRA contributions for 2008. As a general rule, those eligible get the extra time without having to ask for it. Eligible taxpayers include: Members of the military serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or other combat zone localities. Normally, the postponement is until at least 180 days after the service member leaves the combat zone. Victims of severe flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota have an extra 30 days, until May 15, to file their 2008 individual tax returns and pay any taxes due. Similarly, victims of severe storms and tornadoes in three Oklahoma counties have until May 11 to file and pay. 2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS Cumulative through the weeks ending 4/4/08 and 4/3/09 Individual Income Tax Returns 2008 2009 % Change Total Receipts 96,821,000 92,292,000 -4.7% Total Processed 90,064,000 89,215,000 -0.9% E-filing Receipts: TOTAL 67,437,000 70,907,000 5.1% Tax Professionals 47,184,000 46,860,000 -0.7% Self-prepared 20,253,000 24,046,000 18.7% Web Usage: Visits to IRS.gov 131,296,000 157,895,000 20.3% Total Refunds: Number 75,136,000 77,720,000 3.4% Amount $183.044 Billion $210.243 Billion 14.9% Average refund $2,436 $2,705 11.0% Direct Deposit Refunds: Number 53,694,000 58,294,000 8.6% Amount $147.164 Billion $173.408 Billion 17.8% Average refund $2,741 $2,975 8.5% 2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS Cumulative through the weeks ending 3/28/08 and 3/27/09 Individual Income Tax Returns 2008 2009 % Change Total Receipts 86,817,000 84,586,000 -2.6% Total Processed 81,644,000 81,970,000 0.4% E-filing Receipts: TOTAL 62,237,000 65,932,000 5.9% Tax Professionals 43,366,000 43,329,000 -0.1% Self-prepared 18,870,000 22,603,000 19.8% Web Usage: Visits to IRS.gov 120,604,000 147,478,000 22.3% Total Refunds: Number 69,823,000 72,290,000 3.5% Amount $172.017 Billion $196.563 Billion 14.3% Average refund $2,464 $2,719 10.4% Direct Deposit Refunds: Number 50,788,000 55,202,000 8.7% Amount $140.216 Billion $164.657 Billion 17.4% Average refund $2,761 $2,983 8.0% Subscribe to IRS Newswire
