Form 4868 must be filed by midnight local time on the due date of the return - Wednesday, April 15, 2026. An accepted Form 4868 provides a 6-month extension of time to file the return. See Drake Tax Online - Return Due Dates and Deadlines for more information about the due date of Form 4868 and perfection period if the extension request is rejected.

Preparing an Extension

To prepare to e-file the extension:

1. Open or create the return.

2. Complete the Taxpayer Information tab and click Save and Continue.

3. In the Enter form code box, type 4868 to open the 4868 screen.

4. On the 4868 screen, do the following: 

   • Select the Form 4868 radio button below Which form should be completed?.

   • Make one of the following entries, or the “Amount you’re paying” on Form 4868 will be blank.

     • Select the option Taxpayer is paying the entire amount of tax due.

     • Enter the amount to be paid in the field Amount paid with extension.

   • Click Save.

5. In the Enter form code box, type EF to open the EF Selection Screen screen.

6. On the EF Selection Screen,

   • Under the Federal e-File Override section, select 4868.

   • Under the State e-File Override section, select Do NOT send any states (if you do not intend to send a state extension). To send a state or city extension in addition to a federal extension, select the appropriate option from one of the drop lists.

   • Click Save.

Arranging a Payment

Direct Debit

1. In the Enter form code box, type PMT to open the Electronic Funds Withdrawal Information screen.

2. From the Federal selection drop list, select Y to indicate that the taxpayer’s account information is to be used for the federal extension; make a selection from the State/city selection drop list if you wish to use the same account information for applicable state or city extensions.

   Note  If the taxpayer wants to use a different account for state or city extension purposes, steps 3 and 4 (following) must be repeated for the state or city in the appropriate Account #2 or Account #3 section on the lower-half of screen PMT.

3. Enter the name of the taxpayer’s financial institution from which the extension amount is to be direct debited. The RTN, Account number, and Type of account must be entered twice for verification purposes.

4. Enter a Requested payment date.

   • If the return is transmitted to the IRS on or before the extension due date in the current processing year, the Requested payment date must be on or before the due date and cannot be more than five days prior to the current date.

   • If the return is transmitted to the IRS after the extension due date, the Requested payment date cannot be later than the current date and cannot be more than five days prior to the current date.

5. Click Save.

6. Open screen PIN, and complete the following items:

   • Enter the current date for the PIN signature date.

   • Enter the appropriate ERO PIN.

   • Have the taxpayer (and spouse, if applicable) agree to the automatically generated PIN signature. If the taxpayer wishes to use his or her own PIN, have him or her enter it, and mark the Taxpayer entered check box.

   • Select the 4868 with payment option.

   • Agree to the Direct Debit Consent.

   • Click Save.

Check or Money Order

Choose one of the following methods:

• Print Form 4868, and cut following the upper dotted line. This indicates that the Form 4868 was already e-filed and accepted and that you are only submitting the voucher with the payment by mail.

• Generate a voucher by selecting the option Produce 1040-V for extension on screen EXT. The voucher shows the amount paid that is displayed on Form 4868 unless you enter a different amount in the associated override field.

Filing the Extension

1. Click the File tab on the left.

2. Proceed through the e-File steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Links

Drake Tax - 1040: Individual Extension Form 4868

Drake Tax Online - Creating a Return

Drake Tax Online - e-Filing