A tax extension gives you six more months to file, moving the individual deadline from April 15 to October 15. It does not give you more time to pay, so estimate and pay what you owe by April to avoid penalties.

By Richard James, Enrolled Agent | James Family Tax

Article updated February 16, 2026

The IRS tax deadlines come around every year like clockwork, and 2026 is no different.

You’re not alone if you need more time to file your tax return. And if you haven’t even started to look for your tax documents, don’t worry, the IRS offers tax extensions that give you more time to get your tax return filed.

Whether you’re an individual taxpayer or a business owner, knowing your deadlines helps you avoid penalties, reduce stress, and stay in control.

It’s business as usual this year!

Tax Deadlines :

March 16, 2026 (For S-Corporations & Partnerships)

April 15, 2026 (Individuals, Married Couples filing jointly, Sole proprietors, Schedule C filers)

🏢 S-Corporation & Partnership Deadline

Tax Year 2025 returns for S-Corporations (Form 1120-S) and Partnerships (Form 1065) are due

👉 March 16, 2026

This is because the traditional March 15 deadline lands on a weekend, and the IRS moves it to the next business day.

If you’re not ready to file by then, you can request an extension, which gives you until September 15, 2026, but remember, extensions are for filing only, not for paying taxes owed.

👤 Individual Tax Return Deadline

The deadline for filing your individual 2025 tax return (Form 1040) is:

👉 April 15, 2026

This applies to: Individuals, Married couples filing jointly, Sole proprietors and Schedule C filers

If you’re not ready to file by then, you can request an extension, which gives you until October 15, 2026, but remember, extensions are for filing only, not for paying taxes owed.

⏳ What Is A Tax Extension?

A tax extension gives you more time to file but not more time to pay.

Here’s what that means:

✔️ You can file an extension to give you until October 15, 2026 to file your return

✔️ It helps you avoid late-filing penalties

❗ You must still estimate and pay any taxes owed by April 15, 2026

❗ If you don’t pay by April 15, penalties and interest may apply

An extension is simply extra time to complete paperwork, it is not extra time to pay taxes.

🤔 Haven’t Started Yet? That’s Okay.

If you haven’t gathered your tax documents yet, take a deep breath you’re not alone.

The key is to: Communicate with your tax professional that you need a tax extension.

File an extension
Start Organizing your tax documents
Make an estimated payment if taxes are owed

Planning ahead reduces stress and keeps you compliant.

💡 Pro Tip For Business Owners

If you operate an S-Corp or Partnership, your business return deadline comes before the individual tax deadline, and that matters.

Your business return feeds important figures into your personal return, so:

Filing business returns on time helps ensure your personal taxes are accurate
Avoiding penalties on the business side keeps your tax picture clean

How To File A Tax Extension?

· Filing your extension is FREE, and the form can be found on the IRS website, FORM 4868

· You can also get an extension by paying all or part of your estimated income tax due and selecting that the payment is for an extension.

· Click this link https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay to make your direct payment. Under the reason for payment select “extension”. Confirm that it is for the 2025 tax year.

· Once you make the payment, you will receive a confirmation number for your records, and you will not have to file a separate extension form.

If you are a client of James Family Tax, we would be happy to assist you with filing a tax extension.

💰 How Do I Estimate My Tax Payment?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, especially when someone needs to file an extension.

Here are three simple ways to estimate what you may owe:

1️⃣ Look At Last Year’s Tax Return

Start by reviewing your prior year return:

What was your total tax liability? You can calculate it based on your 2024 tax return or bank statements.
Did you owe or receive a refund? If you know that you will be getting a refund or you do not owe taxes, you don’t need to make a payment to the IRS.
Has your income significantly increased or decreased?

If your income is similar to last year, your prior return is often a helpful starting point.

2️⃣ Estimate Your 2025 Income

Add up your expected income for the year: W-2 wages ,1099 income ,Business income ,Rental income, Investment income

Then subtract: Business expenses, Retirement contributions, Estimated deductions

This gives you a rough estimate of your taxable income.

3️⃣ Consider Safe Harbor Rules

To avoid penalties, the IRS generally allows you to avoid underpayment penalties if you pay at least:

100% of last year’s total tax liability OR 110% if your income was over $150,000
OR 90% of your current year tax liability

This is often called the “safe harbor rule.”

If you’re unsure, paying based on last year’s total tax is often the safest strategy.

How Do I Make A Tax Payment :

When you are ready to make your estimated tax payment, you can go to

https://www.irs.gov/payments

Although a Tax Extension will give you more time to prepare your tax return; it’s essential to understand that:

**A tax extension doesn’t give you extra time to pay your taxes.**You will need to estimate your tax liability and pay the amount you owe by April 15th, 2026, to avoid possible penalties.

Your extension request will have to be sent to the IRS by April 15th, 2026

Filing your extension is FREE, and the form can be found on the IRS website, FORM 4868, or if you are a client of James Family Tax, we would be happy to assist you with filing your extension.

You can request James Family Tax to file your Tax Extension for you.

Once you fill out the form James Family Tax will file your Tax Extension and schedule a tax appointment to get your 2025 taxes filed.

You can also easily get an extension by paying all or part of your estimated income tax and indicating that the payment is for an extension. https://www.irs.gov/payments

Once you make the payment, you will receive a confirmation number for your records, and you will not have to file a separate extension form.

Do you need help filing your tax extension?

When it comes to IRS deadlines, tax extensions, and estimating your tax payments, having the right guidance makes all the difference.

We would love to help. At James Family Tax, we’re here for You. We work hard to be the Best Tax Service for our clients. We respect you and believe that you deserve confidence and transparency regarding your taxes. We work with our clients to achieve the best tax outcome possible for their families and businesses.

At James Family Tax, we are proud to serve individuals, families, and business owners with personalized, proactive tax planning. As trusted San Antonio Tax Consultants, our team is committed to helping you meet deadlines, avoid penalties, and feel confident about your tax strategy, not just during tax season, but all year long.

If you’re searching for the Best Tax Service in San Antonio, we would be honored to serve you. Our clients consistently choose us because we prioritize relationships, education, and clear communication. Whether you need help with S-Corp filings, personal tax returns, tax extensions, or estimated tax payments, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Looking for a reliable San Antonio tax preparer near you? We proudly serve clients throughout San Antonio, Schertz, and surrounding communities, and we’re ready to help you file with confidence.

📅 Don’t wait until the deadline is here. Schedule your tax appointment today and let’s plan ahead together.

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How James Family Tax Can Help

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