DON’T FORGET: The tax deadline is fast approaching. Contact us to get started on your return today.

October 15 Deadline: Extended Due Date for 2025 Individual Tax Returns

If you requested an extension for your 2025 individual income tax return, the extended due date is October 15, 2026. This is the final deadline to file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR for those who requested an automatic six-month extension. No further extensions are available.

Please do not wait until the last minute. Our office needs sufficient time to complete your return, review your information, and ensure everything is reported accurately. Bringing documents in too close to the deadline may leave us with insufficient time to finish your return before the cutoff.

Missing Information Can Delay Your Return

One of the most common reasons returns are delayed is missing documentation. This often includes:

  • K-1s
  • Brokerage statements
  • Retirement account forms
  • Final wage statements
  • Charitable contribution records
  • Property tax bills
  • Health insurance forms
  • Business income and expense records

Without all necessary documents, we cannot complete your return on time. If you know that certain key information will not be available before October 15, 2026, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can discuss the best option for your situation.

What if the Information Will Not Be Ready in Time?

If your return cannot be finalized by the extended due date due to missing key information, do not ignore the issue. Contact PM Enterprises Inc right away. Depending on your specific facts, options may be available to reduce filing problems, but communicating early is key.

Organizing financial documents for tax filing

Late Filing Can Be Costly

Filing or paying late will cause the IRS to charge interest and penalties on the amount you owe. This is why it is critical to get your return completed and filed by the due date, or to speak with us before the deadline if you run into an issue.

If your return is filed after the due date, the IRS generally charges a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the return is late, up to a maximum of 25%.

Remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. Interest is charged on tax not paid by the original due date. For a 2025 individual return, interest begins running from April 15, 2026, not October 15, 2026.

The IRS underpayment interest rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. This rate changes over time but is not zero just because you filed an extension. Currently, the rate is 7%.

What if the Extended Return Results in a Refund?

If your extended return results in a refund, the failure-to-file penalty generally does not apply because there is no unpaid tax on which to calculate the penalty. However, you should still file as soon as possible.

If you are due a refund but do not file a return, you must generally file within 3 years from the date the return was due, including extensions, to claim that refund.

Tax advisors discussing deadlines

Paying Online Is Usually the Best Option

If you owe tax, paying online is generally the safest and fastest option. It avoids risks like mailing delays, lost envelopes, and potential mailbox theft. The IRS notes that mailed returns depend on the postmark date, and delivery delays can lead to unexpected interest and penalties.

Because USPS delivery can be delayed, do not assume that mailing a payment at the last minute will protect you. Online payment is usually the better choice.

You can make an online IRS payment here: IRS Direct Pay. Most states have similar online payment capabilities.

Take Action on Your 2025 Tax Return

If you have an extension for your 2025 individual return, please gather your documents early and provide them to us as soon as possible. The sooner we receive everything, the better chance we have of completing your return before the October 15 deadline.

If the information needed to complete your return will not be available by October 15, 2026, contact PM Enterprises Inc immediately so we can help you plan the next step and manage your personal tax liability in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and nationwide.

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