Millions of Americans have a crucial deadline of April 15, 2025. The deadline is the last day for most people to file federal income tax returns for the 2024 tax year. This deadline is even more important this year as it is also the due date for the first quarter of estimated taxes for the 2025 tax year. These deadlines are missed, being penalized and interest charged, so be aware of just when they are exactly and what your options are if you need more time.
Time of Day Taxes Are Due
On April 15 at 11:59 PM local time, all federal income tax returns and payments are due and IRS requires all of that. The specific deadline can therefore vary slightly with your time zone. If preparing an e-return, it’s advisable to file your return early on April 15 as late filing or technical glitches during the last minute should result in late filing. The IRS urges e-filing because it caters to fewer delays and is more accurate. Those who file on paper and mail their returns should be sure to postmark their envelope no later than April 15, the deadline.
Exceptions and Extensions
There are tremendous exceptions to the general date of April 15. Filing by taxpayers in areas of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia federally declared as disaster areas, including coastal counties, will be until May 1. Tennesseans, Arkansans and Kentucky residents are given an extra deadline of November 3, 2025. If you aren’t living in one of these areas yet you still have more time to file you can file an extension using IRS Form 4868. With this extension, you have more time until October 15 to file your return, but it does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed. However, payments are still due by April 15, or else you will be penalized.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Filing or paying your taxes, by the due date, can impact the pocketbook in a very negative way. Failing to file a penalty from the IRS will result in a 5% penalty on your unpaid taxes per each month that your return is late and a maximum of 25%. Additionally, there is no paying penalty of 0.5 percent per month.
Estimated Tax Payments Also Due
April 15 is also the deadline for the first quarter estimated tax payment of 2025. For these taxpayers, who receive income not subject to withholding, such as self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, and earnings from gig economy work, this applies. These quarterly payments may be needed on the books for retirees and investors too. Filers must pay at least 90 percent of their 2025 2025 liability or 100 percent of their 2024 taxes (110 percent for higher income earners) to avoid underpayment penalties. The IRS will make these payments electronically through the IRS website or by mailing Form 1040-ES.
IRS Tools and Free Filing Options
To help taxpayers, the IRS has expanded its free Direct File program to 25 states. It is a mobile-friendly tool that offers English and Spanish support, and that seeks to decrease tax prep service reliance on paid services. Already by early April, the IRS had processed more than 100 million tax returns paying out more than $211 billion in refunds. In 2025 the average refund is $3,116– a 5% increase from the year previous. Taxpayers should monitor the ‘Where’s My Refund’ tool, which is updated once a day.
