Wednesday Tax Deadline for
8 Million Extension Filers

WASHINGTON - Most taxpayers have already filed their tax year 2000 federal income tax returns. But for the almost 8 million taxpayers who opted for the automatic extension of time to file, the deadline is Wednesday. August 15 is the due date for these taxpayers to file their tax returns for 2000.

The IRS said it is important for taxpayers with extensions to file their returns by August 15 to avoid the late filing penalty, which is 5 percent per month of the unpaid tax. Help is available, however, for people who cannot file on time.

Taxpayers with special circumstances, such as a hardship, that prevent them from preparing and filing their tax forms by August 15 may request an additional two-month extension that will give them until October 15 to file. These taxpayers will be granted an extension of time to file even if they cannot send in payment of outstanding 2000 taxes with the extension request.

To request the additional time to file, taxpayers must send Form 2688 to the IRS by August 15. Form 2688 is available on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. The IRS will advise filers in writing if their requests are granted or not.

Taxpayers granted the additional time to file will not be penalized for late payment of tax if they pay the balance of their 2000 tax when they file the tax return by October 15 and if 90 percent of their total tax was paid by April 16.

Last year more than 2 million requests for additional time to file were filed using Form 2688.

Previous | Next

2001 IRS News Releases | News Releases Main | Home