Not ready for Tax Day? Here’s how to file for an Illinois or federal extension
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Illinois grants an automatic six-month filing extension but taxes remain due April 15.
- Federal extensions push filing deadline to Oct. 15 but do not extend payment deadlines.
- Illinois will still tax tipped income despite new federal temporary tip deduction policy.
Tax Day is Wednesday, April 15, and if you’re not quite ready to file your income tax return, you still have time to request an extension.
Illinois is frequently named in various reports as one of the top states for high tax rates due to the state’s gas tax, property taxes and regressive income tax structure, according to one economist.
Workers will still pay Illinois state income tax on tipped income this filing season, despite a new federal policy that means U.S. workers can now temporarily deduct tips from their federal income taxes, up to a $25,000 limit, as the state is decoupling from the federal policy change.
Here’s what to know about requesting an extension if you’re not yet done with your paperwork ahead of the Tax Day deadline.
How to request a tax filing extension in Illinois, US
The Illinois tax season is the same as the federal timeline, but the state grants an automatic six-month extension for filing, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. It’s important to note the extended deadline is for completing your tax return, but it does not give you an extension for payment of your taxes. Any tax due must still be paid by April 15.
For your federal income tax return, the Internal Revenue Service offers an extended deadline of Oct. 15, but certain requirements must be met. Like the state extension, the extended filing deadline is only for submitting the paperwork, and does not give you an extension for payment of your taxes.
To request a federal extension, 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 request one by mail.
“If you receive a federal extension of more than six months, you are automatically allowed that extension for Illinois,” the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website reads.
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.
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.
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