US tax filing extension -- no response yet

Filo · Post by **Filo** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:10 pm

I mailed form 4868 (Extension of Time to File), and I have online confirmation that it was received March 23 (I sent it by expresspost).

But as of yet I have received no response from the IRS confirming the extension.

Should I re-file form 4868 online?

nanic · Post by **nanic** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:20 am

Why are you requesting an extension? Is it for the 2011 tax year. If so, if you live outside the US you have an automatic extension until June to file your 1040

Filo · Post by **Filo** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:49 pm

I would really like to hear someone's opinion.

The question is whether I can redundantly apply online for an extension (I have already applied by post-office-confirmed-received mail) but have received no response from the IRS: will I get in trouble for effectively now submitting two 4868 forms (per person)?

Why an extension till October?

1) I'm doing 3 people's returns.

2) Form 8621 is a mess. There's much disagreement about that form online on a variety of sites (it's not just this site I'm talking about). Maybe things will clear up over the next several months.

3) The forms (including the FBARs, which can't be extended) were already bad enough, and there could be an AMT hassle for one of the persons (I haven't gotten that far yet), but the additions of the 8938s just makes things yet worse.

4) Impending surgery.

qweryt · Post by **qweryt** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:56 am

Call the IRS and they should be able to confirm your extension.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:22 am

Since an extension is only required if you owe money, you would have sent a check, and it would have beeen cashed. That is all the confirmation you need.

If you did not owe money, you did not need to extend, so why worry.

JY · Post by JY » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:01 pm

Is that mean if IRS owe me money, I don't need to file the tax return by April 17 this year even without extension form submitted?

Thanks,

NickH · Post by **NickH** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:44 pm

Certain elections, such as the mark-to-market election on Form 8621 and the election to defer tax on RRSPs on Form 8891, are only available with timely filed returns, including extensions.

I agree that Form 8621 is a mess. I'm not sure how the IRS expects anyone who has not gone over the Treasury Regulations with a fine-tooth comb to complete these forms accurately. I hope the IRS realizes that most of the Form 8621 data is basically junk.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:50 am

timely filed includes the automatic extension, so october is timely.

Filo · Post by **Filo** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:19 am

Obviously I agree with your point that timely filed includes the extension granted. But my understanding is that the automatic extension (2 months) goes only to June 15, whereas the 6-month extension (to October 15) is granted only if a form 4868 is submitted before April 15.

In addition, I have to apologize for my original query. The form 4868 instructions say, "We will contact you only if your request is denied."

YankNucks · Post by **YankNucks** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:46 am

I think it is the 17th, today. The form instructions say mail by the deadline for tthe 1040 itself.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:14 pm

October is timely.

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