Filing an extension gives you more time to file – but not more time to pay
What does this mean?
- The extension gives you until October 15, 2026 to file your 2025 tax return.
- It does not extend the time to pay. If you anticipate owing taxes for 2025, we recommend making an estimated payment by April 15, 2026 to avoid penalties and interest.
Safe Harbor Rule:
The IRS doesn’t require you to pay 100% to 110% of last year’s tax, but doing so qualifies you for a safe harbor—a way to avoid underpayment penalties, regardless of your actual 2025 tax liability.
What you need to do:
- Check your 2024 return for your total tax liability.
- Make sure you’ve paid in:
- 100% of last year’s tax if your AGI was $150,000 or less
- 110% if your AGI was over $150,000
If you haven’t paid enough through withholding or prior estimates, we recommend making a payment now to cover the difference and avoid penalties.
How to Make a Payment: You can make your estimated tax payment securely using IRS Direct Pay at https://www.irs.gov/
Use your Social Security Number and select the 1040ES – Estimated Tax Payment option.
- Make sure to select 2025 as the tax year.
*TaxPG can provide you with step by step Direct Pay Instruction, if needed*
If you’d like assistance calculating a safe estimated payment amount, please let us know by April 5th and we will take a look at your situation —we’re happy to help.
