IRS Offers Guidance for Americans Who Missed the 2025 Tax Deadline
April 15, 2025, marked the 70th anniversary of the federal tax filing deadline, but for many Americans, Tax Day came and went — and the return didn’t get filed. Whether life got in the way or you were unprepared, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says it’s not too late to take action and minimize penalties.
Here’s what to do if you missed the April 15 tax deadline — and how you can still stay on track with your tax obligations.
1. File Immediately to Reduce Penalties
If you owe taxes and didn’t file on time, the IRS recommends filing as soon as possible. Waiting only increases the failure-to-file penalty, which is typically 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month (or part of a month) your return is late, up to 25% of the total owed.
Filing late but paying what you can now reduces how much you’ll owe in penalties and interest.
2. You Can Still Request an Extension — If You Act Fast
The IRS allows taxpayers to file Form 4868 to receive an automatic extension until October 15, 2025, to submit their full return. However, it’s important to understand:
- This only extends the time to file, not the time to pay.
- Any unpaid tax from 2024 was still due by April 15.
- Interest and penalties may still accrue on unpaid balances.
You can file Form 4868 electronically via the IRS Free File system or with your tax preparation software.
3. What If You’re Expecting a Refund?
The good news: if you’re owed a refund, there’s no penalty for filing late. But don’t wait too long — you have three years from the original due date to file and claim your refund.
That means the deadline to claim your 2024 tax refund is April 15, 2028.
4. Set Up a Payment Plan If You Can’t Pay Now
If you owe taxes but can’t afford to pay them in full, the IRS offers flexible payment solutions:
- Short-term and long-term installment agreements
- Online payment plans for balances under $50,000
- Offer in Compromise programs for certain hardship cases
You can apply online at irs.gov/payments.
5. Watch Out for Penalties and Interest
Here’s how late fees break down:
- Failure-to-file penalty: 5% per month on unpaid taxes
- Failure-to-pay penalty: 0.5% per month
- Interest: Compounded daily based on the IRS interest rate
Paying as much as you can now — even if you can’t pay it all — reduces your risk of mounting fees.
A Look Back: 70 Years of April 15
This year also marked the 70th anniversary of April 15 as Tax Day in the U.S. The IRS adopted the date in 1955, shifting from March 15 to allow more time for processing increasingly complex tax returns.
Since then, technology has transformed the process. In 2024, over 144 million individual returns were filed — and more than 96% were submitted electronically.
Despite these advances, missing the deadline remains common — and fixable.
Related Reading:
IRS Helpful Tools:
- IRS Form 4868: Request an Extension
- IRS Free File: File Electronically for Free
- Set Up a Payment Plan with the IRS
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I missed the 2025 tax deadline?
If you owe taxes, you may face penalties and interest. File and pay as soon as possible to minimize the damage.
Can I still file for an extension?
Yes — Form 4868 gives you until October 15 to file, but you still needed to pay by April 15 to avoid penalties.
Is there a penalty if I’m getting a refund?
No. But you must file within three years to claim it.
What if I can’t pay my tax bill?
Apply for an IRS installment agreement or a hardship-based Offer in Compromise. The sooner you act, the better.
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