Where can I e-file IRS Form 7004 for free without using paid websites?
I'm getting frustrated trying to figure out how to e-file Form 7004 for our partnership extension without paying some random third-party website $25-$40. Am I missing something obvious here? Is there a way to submit this directly to the IRS website for free, or is that privilege only available to tax professionals? We don't have any existing IRS login credentials for the partnership if that makes a difference. I feel like I'm going in circles on the IRS website trying to find a direct e-file option. Most of what I'm finding are links to these "authorized e-file providers" that all want to charge for a simple extension form. Surely there must be a free option directly through the IRS?
20 comments
Join the conversation
Mateo Rodriguez
Unfortunately, the IRS doesn't provide a free direct e-filing portal for Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension) for partnerships. Unlike individual returns where Free File options exist, business extensions typically require either using paid software, a tax professional, or filing by mail. For partnerships specifically, you'll typically need to use an authorized e-file provider which, as you've found, usually comes with a fee. The IRS maintains a list of authorized e-file providers, but they don't offer a free government portal for business extensions.
0 coins
Nia Thompson
•Thanks for clarifying. That's really disappointing though. Why would they charge for filing a simple extension form when they let individuals file much more complicated returns for free?
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•The IRS systems for business filings and individual filings are actually quite different infrastructures. The Free File program was specifically negotiated for individual taxpayers, whereas business filings operate under different agreements and systems. The IRS has been gradually modernizing their systems, but business filings haven't been prioritized for direct free e-file options yet. They tend to rely more heavily on the private sector for business form processing, likely due to the relative complexity and lower volume compared to individual returns.
0 coins
GalaxyGuardian
After getting frustrated with the same issue last year, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer for all my business tax documents including Form 7004. I'm not very tech-savvy but their system actually helped me with my partnership extension without any confusing steps. The interface scans your tax documents and helps you file them correctly.
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
•How does it handle partnerships with multiple partners? We have 6 partners and previous systems I tried got confused with all the K-1 information.
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
•That sounds interesting but I'm skeptical. Does it actually let you e-file the 7004 for free or is this just another service with hidden fees that pop up at the end?
0 coins
GalaxyGuardian
•It handles multi-partner partnerships surprisingly well. The system is designed to organize information from each partner separately, so even with 6 partners it should process everything correctly without getting confused about K-1 allocations. This isn't just another bait-and-switch service. While they do offer premium features for more complex situations, they're transparent about what's included. The basic Form 7004 e-filing capability is part of their core offering, so you won't get hit with surprise fees at the end of the process.
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
Just wanted to update everyone. I was the skeptical one above but decided to try taxr.ai anyway since I was desperate to get our extension filed before the deadline. I'm actually really impressed! The process was straightforward and I was able to e-file our 7004 without any surprise charges. The document scanning feature saved me a ton of time since I had all our partnership docs in a folder already. Definitely recommend it if you're in the same boat trying to file a partnership extension.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
If you're still struggling with getting through to the IRS about Form 7004 filing options, I had a similar issue and ended up using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They have a service that gets you through to an actual IRS agent quickly instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was initially just going to mail the form, but had some questions about our partnership's EIN that I needed answered before filing. Got through to an IRS rep in about 15 minutes who walked me through the whole process.
0 coins
Carmen Diaz
•How does this actually work? Sounds like magic considering I spent 2+ hours on hold last week and never got through.
0 coins
Andre Laurent
•This sounds like a scam. There's no way to "skip the line" with the IRS. They're notoriously understaffed and everyone has to wait.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
•It's not magic, just clever technology. They basically use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent finally answers, you get a call connecting you directly to that agent. It saves you from having to personally wait on hold. It's definitely not a scam - it's just a service that handles the waiting for you. The IRS doesn't prioritize your call, but the system holds your place in line while you go about your day. I was skeptical too but when I got that call connecting me to an actual IRS agent who answered my Form 7004 questions, I was sold on how useful it is.
0 coins
Andre Laurent
I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After dismissing it as a scam in my earlier comment, my colleague convinced me to try it since we needed urgent clarification about our Form 7004 filing status and couldn't wait on hold for hours. The service actually did exactly what they claimed - got me connected to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes without me having to stay on the phone the whole time. The agent confirmed we needed to use an authorized e-file provider for our partnership extension but also gave us some helpful tips about tracking the extension once filed. Definitely worth it just for the time saved.
0 coins
AstroAce
Just a heads up - if you don't want to pay for e-filing, you can still print Form 7004 and mail it to the IRS. Just make sure you mail it CERTIFIED with return receipt so you have proof it was delivered before the deadline. I've done this for years for my LLC and never had an issue.
0 coins
Zoe Kyriakidou
•But doesn't mailing it defeat the purpose of getting immediate confirmation? I thought one of the main benefits of e-filing was getting that instant acknowledgment that your extension was received.
0 coins
AstroAce
•You're right about not getting immediate confirmation, which is definitely a downside of paper filing. The certified mail receipt only proves you sent it, not that the IRS processed it correctly. If immediate confirmation is important to you, then an e-file service is probably worth the fee. I just mentioned the paper option because some people are more concerned about the cost than getting instant confirmation. It's really about weighing what matters more in your specific situation.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
Has anyone tried using the IRS Modernized e-File (MeF) system through a tax software like ProSeries or Lacerte? You can usually e-file business extensions through them if you already subscribe for other business tax prep.
0 coins
Mei Zhang
•We use ProSeries at our office and yes, you can e-file Form 7004 through it. But that's not really helpful for someone who doesn't already have a professional tax software subscription - those programs cost hundreds or thousands of dollars annually.
0 coins
Connor Gallagher
I'm in a similar situation with my LLC extension and found that while the IRS doesn't offer free direct e-filing for business forms like 7004, there are a few workarounds worth considering. One option is to check if your state has any partnerships with e-file providers that might offer discounted rates for extensions. Some states negotiate bulk pricing that gets passed on to taxpayers. Also, if you're comfortable with paper filing as AstroAce mentioned, you can actually track your mailed return through the IRS website using their "Where's My Amended Return?" tool (though it takes a few weeks to show up in their system). It's not as immediate as e-filing confirmation, but it does give you eventual verification that they received and processed your extension. For what it's worth, I ended up biting the bullet and paying the $35 fee last year because the peace of mind from instant confirmation was worth it to me, especially since missing the extension deadline would have cost way more in penalties.
0 coins
Sean Murphy
•That's a great point about checking with your state for discounted e-file options! I hadn't thought of that angle. Do you happen to know which states typically offer these partnerships? Also, I'm curious about the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool you mentioned - does that actually work for Form 7004 extensions or just amended returns? The name suggests it's only for amendments, but if it tracks extensions too, that would be really helpful to know for future reference. You're absolutely right about the peace of mind factor. Missing the extension deadline would definitely cost way more than $35 in penalties and interest.
0 coins