When is the last day to file taxes in IL? Check these deadlines, free file options
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tax Day in Illinois is April 15; extensions can push filing to Oct. 15.
- Extensions don't delay payment; taxes owed must be paid by April 15.
- Free filing help is available online and in-person to those who qualify.
Tax Day is still a few weeks away — Wednesday, April 15 — and qualifying Illinois residents have several options to file their taxes for free.
You can also request an extension if you won’t be able to file your taxes by the April 15 deadline. The IRS offers an extended deadline of Oct. 15, but certain requirements must be met. The extended filing deadline is only for submitting the paperwork, and does not give you an extension for payment of your taxes. Any tax due must still be paid by April 15, but you can get six extra months to file by a few methods.
You can pay what you owe online and check a box saying you’re requesting an extension, you can use IRS Free File to request an automatic extension or you can request one by mail.
You may also have more time to file your taxes if you’ve been affected by a disaster or if you’re a U.S. citizen or “resident alien” living out of the country.
If you need help filing a past-due return, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040. If you owe more taxes than you can pay, you can request an extra 60 to 120 days to pay through the Online Payment Agreement application or by calling the IRS.
Free filing options in Illinois
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service offers free, in-person basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. Qualifying residents include taxpayers who generally make $69,000 or less per year, people with disabilities and those who speak limited English.
In-person help through the two programs is available to qualified metro-east residents at several locations, including in Mascoutah and East St. Louis. Some locations require an appointment, and you can make one and find the nearest site to you online.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance providers also offer help online through a website called Get Your Refund.
If you don’t meet the above qualifications but have an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, you can use an IRS Free File option, which utilizes tax software companies that partner with the federal agency.
Taxpayers, regardless of income, can use fillable forms to file their taxes if they don’t need guidance.
Some private companies also offer free basic tax preparation to certain people, often limited by income, though many versions carry fees.
How long will your tax refund take to arrive?
If you file online, you can expect your Form 1040 return to be processed and any refund issued within about 21 days, according to the IRS, though it can take longer.
In Illinois, officials say filing early and electronically is the best way to receive a timely refund. You can check the status of your state refund with an online tool. The state Department of Revenue reports you can expect to receive your refund within about four weeks of filing electronically, or four to eight weeks after filing on paper.
“Filing your tax return electronically and requesting direct deposit is the fastest way to obtain your refund and helps prevent filing errors, such as incorrect math. There is NO ADVANTAGE to filing a paper Form IL-1040,” the Illinois Department of Revenue website reads.
State officials recommend avoiding common mistakes that can delay return processing by double-checking your Social Security number, name spelling, address and direct deposit information, as well as including any required supporting documents, such as a W-2 form, and reviewing your form for accuracy.
Will you still have to pay taxes on your tips?
Although a new federal policy in what’s popularly known as President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” means U.S. workers can now temporarily deduct tips from their federal income taxes, up to a $25,000 limit, Illinois is decoupling from the policy.
Tipped income will still be taxed at the state level in Illinois, and tipped employees across the U.S. will still pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on their tips.
Do you have a question about taxes in the metro-east or Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
