April 15, 2026 marks the final deadline for filing your 2025 tax return and paying any taxes owed to the IRS. Missing this date triggers penalties and interest that compound quickly.
If you can't pay your full tax bill by April 15, the IRS offers several options to avoid the worst consequences.
Payment plans spread your debt across months or years. The IRS offers short-term extensions up to 180 days with minimal fees, or long-term installment agreements that cost between $31 and $225 depending on how you set up the plan. Online payment plans through the IRS website cost $31 for direct debit arrangements. The catch: interest accrues on unpaid balances at the current federal rate, plus a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent monthly on what you owe.
File on time even without payment. This reduces your penalty significantly. The failure-to-file penalty runs 5 percent monthly on unpaid taxes, while failure-to-pay runs only 0.5 percent. Filing late but paying part or all of what you owe puts you in a much stronger position.
Request an extension if you need more time to gather documents. Form 4868 gives you until October 15, 2026 to file, but this does not extend your payment deadline. You still owe taxes by April 15 or face penalties, even with the extension.
Offer in Compromise lets lower-income taxpayers settle for less than the full amount owed, though approval is rare. The IRS evaluates your ability to pay based on income and assets.
Currently Not Collectible status pauses collection efforts if severe financial hardship prevents payment. Interest and penalties still accrue, but the IRS halts garnishments or bank levies temporarily.
Check the IRS website or call