IRS Wants Extension Requests E-filed

The Internal Revenue Service wants taxpayers who need additional time to complete their tax return to submit their request for an automatic extension electronically by April 17.

The IRS expects to receive 9.9 million extensions during 2007 compared with 9.5 million extensions in 2006.

The extension allows taxpayers until October 15 to file the tax return. An extension does not give the taxpayer an extension of time to pay. Those who owe taxes can make a payment when they file the extension either by mailing a check or by several electronic payment methods, such as electronic funds withdrawals from bank accounts and credit card payments.