If you filed for an extension of time to file your 2015 federal tax return
and you also chose to have advance
payments of the premium
tax credit made to your coverage provider. If you fall into this category,
it’s important you file your return sooner rather than later. Here are four
things for these taxpayers to know:
- If you got a six-month extension of time to file, you
do not need to wait until this fall to file your return and reconcile your
advance payments. You can – and should - file as soon as you have all the
necessary documentation.
- You must file to ensure you can continue having advance
credit payments paid on your behalf in future years. If you do not file
and reconcile your 2015 advance payments of the premium tax credit by the
Marketplace’s fall re-enrollment period – even if you filed for an
extension – you may not have your eligibility for advance payments of the
PTC in 2017 determined for a period of time after you have filed your tax
return with Form 8962.
- Advance payments of the premium tax credit are reviewed
in the fall by the Health Insurance Marketplace for the next calendar year
as part of their annual re-enrollment and income verification process.
- Use Form
8962, Premium Tax Credit, to reconcile any advance credit payments
made on your behalf and to maintain your eligibility for future premium
assistance.
Source: Internal Revenue Service
contact@officetaxservices.com
(858)247-1680
A taxpayer may request an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868 (via paper or electronically) by the due date of the return or by paying all or part of the income tax due using a credit or debit card. For most taxpayers, this extends the due date until October 15.
Please note that this is NOT an extension of time to pay taxes. The taxpayer must estimate the taxes due and can submit the payment with the extension request.
There are three ways to request an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return.
1. You can pay all or part of your estimated income tax due and indicate that the payment is for an extension using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or using a credit or debit card. See How To Make a Payment, on page 3.
2. You can file Form 4868 electronically by accessing IRS e-file using your home computer or by using a tax professional who uses e-file.
3. You can file a paper Form 4868 and enclose payment of your estimate of tax due.
Late Payment Penalty
The late payment penalty is usually 1⁄2 of 1% of any tax (other than estimated tax) not paid by April 18, 2016. It is charged for each month or part of a month the tax is unpaid. The maximum penalty is 25%.
The late payment penalty will not be charged if you can show reasonable cause for not paying on time. Attach a statement to your return fully explaining the reason. Do not attach the statement to Form 4868.
You are considered to have reasonable cause for the period covered by this automatic extension if at least 90% of your actual 2015 tax liability is paid before the regular due date of your return through withholding, estimated tax payments, or payments made on Form 4868.
Late Filing Penalty
A late filing penalty is usually charged if your return is filed after the
due date (including extensions). The penalty is usually 5% of the
amount due for each month or part of a month your return is late.
The maximum penalty is 25%. If your return is more than 60 days
late, the minimum penalty is $135 (adjusted for inflation) or the
balance of the tax due on your return, whichever is smaller. You
might not owe the penalty if you have a reasonable explanation for
filing late. Attach a statement to your return fully explaining your
reason for filing late. Do not attach the statement to Form 4868.
Form 4868
