The tax deadline of April 15th, 2025 has come and gone. But if you were not on time to meet this very important deadline, you should not start feeling guilty.
It is true that every year, for one reason or another, several millions of Americans do not make it to the IRS filing deadline. Whether you simply forgot, or you had run out of time, or just did not know what to do, you still have a way out. And the sooner you take action, the more you will be able to reduce penalties and interest.
Here’s what you should expect if you missed the 2025 IRS deadline — and how to act next.
First: Relax And Do Not Fret about It
Not submitting your tax returns by the April tax deadline, most certainly, is not good approach. However, if you keep that pace, the situation may turn out to be quite costly. So, here is the IRS who penalizes first:
- Late filing penalty: 5% of your unpaid taxes for every month (or part of a month) your return is late, up to 25%.
- Late payment penalty: 0.5% per month of the unpaid tax amount, also up to 25%.
Besides, the IRS on top of those penalties also charges daily interest.
It’s important to learn that while there is no penalty if you are entitled to a refund, you still have to file an application to get your money back.
Submit Your Return As Early As You Can
Even if you are not able to pay back the entire tax amount you owe, filing a return now is always state their case even if they cannot pay their taxes in full. The late filing penalty outweighsthe late payment penalty by far, so going about the situation as fast as you can will help you toec quire the subsequent punishment from increasing
You can use tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA to e-file your return even after the deadline.
What If You Have Filed an Extension?
Once you make it clear by submitting Form 4868 before April 15, you are automatically given an extension to file till October 15, 2025. However, it is worth mentioning that this does not include the payment deadline at all.
If you had a tax bill and didn’t manage to make a payment by April 15, you might still face the music in the shape of late-payment fees and interest.
Were You Able to Lighten or Wipe Out the Penalty?
Yes, there is such a possibility. Taxpayers who offer reasonable cause is what the IRS usually considers for removing or decreasing penalties. The following reasons might make you eligible to apply for penalty removal:
- You’ve never been late in filing your tax returns before (called a first-time penalty abatement)
- You were sick or had a personal emergency
- You were affected by a natural disaster
If you need to, you can contact the IRS or send them a request in writing to once it is done. Appealing cases can be addressed by tax professionals as a Form 843 can be submitted to request penalty relief.
What If the Time Came for Payment Plans?
In the event of insufficient financial capabilities to fulfill the commitment in full, the IRS extends payment plans as an alternative.
This is the process for:
- If your rate is below $50,000, you can get an installment agreement of long duration directly online
- If you $100,000 or less you may choose a short-term plan with the IRS which lasts for 120 days
- Nevertheless, interest is only applied, while the penalties may cease, in case of no response on your part
Click irs.gov/payments to submit your application.
Would the Situation Change if Mailing Is Not Done Yet for 2021?
Yes — the IRS has still opened the door for people to file their 2021 returns by April 15, 2025 to claim a refund. If the current time is May, it could mean that the deadline is gone already. However, go to IRS website and check your account to see if there are any unclaimed refunds, deductions, or credits.
If you have failed to meet the 2025 tax deadline, remember to:
- File your return, if it is already late.
- Pay whatever amount you can to minimize interest.
- Get the fee waived if it meets your situation.
- Establish a payment plan if necessary.
The more time you give, the higher the penalties become. However, it is generally the case that the IRS is more lenient with those who approach them early and sustain communication with them.
