How and where do I file for an Extension online for 2023 taxes?

I'm stuck waiting on a Schedule K form from a business and they're suggesting I should apply for an extension. This is our most complicated tax year so far and I'm getting worried about the deadline! Our situation has gotten complex (at least for us) with potentially itemized deductions: 1. We bought our first house last year - paying about $14k in property taxes and $25K in mortgage interest 2. Both of us have W2s from our jobs 3. We've got several 1099 forms to deal with too So where exactly can I file for an extension online? Is this something I should just hand over to a tax professional given all the new complexity? Thanks for any help you can give! Starting to stress with the deadline approaching...

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19 comments

Mateo Gonzalez

•8M

Filing for an extension is actually pretty straightforward! You can file for a free extension directly on the IRS website through their Free File program, or through any major tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct. The extension form you need is Form 4868. Remember that an extension gives you more time to file (until October 15, 2023), but not more time to pay any taxes you might owe. You should still estimate what you might owe and pay that amount by the regular deadline to avoid penalties and interest. With your situation - first home purchase, multiple income sources - it might be worth consulting with a tax professional this year. The cost of professional help often pays for itself when you have new deductions like mortgage interest and property taxes, especially if you're unsure about what you can claim.

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Mateo Gonzalez

•8M

You can definitely use last year's return as a starting point for your estimation, but adjust for any major changes like your new home purchase and mortgage interest deductions. Just try to get reasonably close - the IRS understands it's an estimate. Yes, if you overpay with your extension request, that amount will either be refunded to you or applied to next year's taxes when you file your complete return. It's generally better to slightly overpay than underpay to avoid any potential penalties.

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Nia Williams

•8M

After struggling with extensions last year, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it completely changed my tax experience. I was in a similar situation with waiting on a Schedule K-1 and wasn't sure how to handle the extension properly. The tool actually analyzed my previous returns, helped me estimate what I'd likely owe for the extension payment, and walked me through the entire process. It was especially helpful with identifying the deductions from my new home purchase (I also bought my first home last year!) and making sure I didn't miss anything important. The document analysis feature saved me tons of time organizing all my W-2s and 1099s.

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Nia Williams

•8M

The tool works great even if you haven't filed in previous years. It can analyze your situation for multiple tax years and help you get caught up on back taxes, including suggesting the best order to file them in to minimize penalties. For state tax extensions, I found it particularly helpful with California actually! It automatically determined that California grants an automatic 6-month extension without requiring a separate filing, but still calculated what I might owe the state to avoid penalties. It handles the different rules for about 40 states from what I remember.

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Luca Ricci

•8M

I was super skeptical at first about taxr.ai but decided to give it a try after posting here. Best decision ever! Not only did it help me file my extension correctly, but it also caught several deductions I would have missed completely. The document analysis actually found a mistake on one of my 1099s that my client had issued incorrectly! When I finally got my Schedule K form (which took FOREVER), the tool made it super easy to complete my actual return. Saved me at least $2,200 in deductions I would have missed and probably hours of frustration. Definitely going to use it again next year!

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Ethan Campbell

•8M

If you're also struggling to actually talk to someone at the IRS about your extension (which I was for days), try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent hours on hold trying to confirm my extension was processed correctly, but kept getting disconnected. Used their service after seeing it mentioned on Reddit, and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I was waiting before. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's basically a system that waits on hold for you then calls when an agent is available. Saved me a ton of time and frustration when I needed clarification about my extension and some missing tax documents.

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Ethan Campbell

•8M

They don't skip the line - they use an automated system that waits on hold for you. Basically, they call the IRS, navigate the phone tree, then wait on hold in your place. When they finally reach a human agent, you get a call back immediately. They don't have special access, they just handle the painful waiting part. Trust me, I was equally skeptical! But after waiting on hold for over 3 hours myself and getting disconnected twice, I was desperate. It took about 22 minutes for them to get me through to an agent who actually helped resolve my issue about the extension.

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Carmen Sanchez

•8M

Ok I need to apologize to everyone here. I tried Claimyr after being a total skeptic and I'm shocked it actually worked. After posting that comment above, I was so frustrated I figured I had nothing to lose. It took about 40 minutes (not instant, but WAY better than my previous attempts), and I got connected to an actual IRS agent who helped me track down my missing refund! Turns out there was an issue with my direct deposit info that no one had bothered to tell me about. The agent was able to update it right there on the phone. Still annoyed at how hard it is to reach the IRS in the first place, but at least there's a solution that works. Just wanted to come back and confirm this is legit.

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Andre Dupont

•8M

For filing an extension online, I'd recommend using the IRS Free File Fillable Forms. It's completely free and direct from the IRS. Just search "IRS Free File Fillable Forms" and you'll find it. Form 4868 is what you need for the extension. With your situation (new home, multiple income sources), I'd definitely suggest finding a CPA this year. The first year of homeownership creates a lot of new tax opportunities and potential pitfalls. A good CPA will likely save you more than they cost, especially with itemized deductions.

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Andre Dupont

•8M

Ask friends or family for recommendations first - personal referrals are usually the best way to find a reliable CPA. If that doesn't work, look for someone who specializes in individual taxes with real estate experience. Always check their credentials (make sure they're actually a CPA and not just a tax preparer) and ask about their experience with situations like yours. A good CPA will take time to explain things and not just rush you through the process. Many offer free initial consultations, which is a great way to see if they're a good fit before committing.

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