The 2025 tax season officially ended on April 15, 2025, and most taxpayers can now relax until next year. But for some individuals, the tax story isn’t over yet.
Some people have until October 15, 2025 to file their taxes, thanks to extensions granted by the IRS for various reasons. Let’s understand who can still file later, how extensions work, and what happens if you were affected by disasters like the Southern California wildfires.
Can You Still Apply for a Tax Extension?
No, if you missed the April 15 deadline and did not apply for an extension earlier, you cannot apply for one now. Extensions must always be requested before the annual filing deadline.
It is important to remember:
- A tax extension only gives you more time to file your return, not more time to pay what you owe.
- Any tax payments were still due by April 15, 2025 even if you got an extension for filing.
Historically, the IRS has found that most taxpayers pay on time. Over the last 30 years, around 15%-18% of taxpayers failed to fully pay their taxes by the deadline, creating what the IRS calls the tax gap — the difference between what should be paid and what actually is paid.
How to Qualify for a Tax Filing Extension
If you applied for an extension before April 15, you had three main options:
- Pay your tax online and select the option requesting an extension while making the payment.
- Use the IRS Free File tool to request an automatic six-month filing extension.
- File Form 4868 either by mail or online. If mailed, it had to be postmarked before the tax deadline.
Additionally:
- If you are an American living abroad, you automatically get an extra two months (until June 15) to file your taxes.
- If you were affected by a natural disaster, the IRS generally grants automatic extensions for your entire community.
Special Rules for Southern California Wildfire Victims
If you are a California resident affected by the Southern California wildfires, you automatically qualify for an extended filing deadline:
- New tax filing and payment deadline: October 15, 2025
This extension applies to both federal and state taxes.
For state taxes, California requires that you clearly write “Los Angeles Fire” on your state tax forms if you are filing late due to the disaster.
If you cannot pay your full taxes even with the extension, it’s important to:
- Pay as much as you can now.
- Apply for an IRS payment plan instead of ignoring your tax bill.
Failing to pay taxes can lead to increased penalties, interest charges, and even legal actions. Always communicate with the IRS if you need help setting up a payment plan.