One Last Extension for Expats: The December 15 Tax Deadline

Written byAlex McGowin

Updated on March 3, 2024

With the October 16 deadline approaching for U.S. taxpayers who requested an extension, it's crucial for expats to understand their options. Originally, the extension via Form 4868 was only for filing, not paying taxes.

This extension included a 5% per month failure-to-file penalty avoidance, but the 0.5% per month failure-to-pay penalty and interest on due taxes still applied.

Extension Details for Expats

U.S. taxpayers living abroad automatically received a two-month extension to June 15, which covered both filing and payment. The Form 4868 extension further extended the filing deadline to October 16. However, there's an additional extension to December 15 available for expats who need more time.

Requesting the December Extension

To request this further extension, expats must send a letter to the IRS. No specific form is required, but the IRS has discretion over acceptance. The letter should include:

Your social security number, name, tax year, and form number.
Reasons for needing extra time, like awaiting financial information from foreign institutions or foreign company statements with non-calendar fiscal years.

Send the letter to:

Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0215 USA

Keep a record of your mailing. You won't likely receive confirmation from the IRS, so no news is generally good news.

Conclusion

This additional extension is a valuable option for expats facing delays in tax preparation.