IRS Free File and other resources available until Oct. 17
The IRS reminds taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2021 tax return, they should file a complete and accurate return electronically when they are ready rather than wait until the October 17, 2022, extension deadline.
Taxpayers who owe tax – including those who did not request an extension – and have yet to file a 2021 tax return can generally avoid additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as possible and paying any balance due. Even if a taxpayer can't afford to immediately pay the taxes they owe, they should still file a tax return as soon as possible to reduce possible penalties. An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay taxes.
Generally, people who choose not to file a tax return because they didn't earn enough money to be required to file won't receive a penalty if they are owed a refund. But they may miss out on receiving a refund if they don’t file. Taxpayers still have time to get their full child tax credit or claim a missing Economic Impact Payment. The IRS advises individuals who still need to file a 2021 tax return to file electronicallyand, if due a refund, to choose direct deposit.
