Some States Require No Action If Nothing Is Owed; Others Accept The Federal Form
States vary on their tax extension policies. To get the most timely and accurate information for a state tax extension, visit your state's official website. The deadlines and applications depend on the state you call home, but here is a sampling of state guidelines and tax extension forms:
- California: If you don't need to pay the government, you don't need to file for an extension - the state gives you till October 15th to submit your return. If you do owe taxes, you will need to pay by April 17th to avoid penalties and interest. Complete Form FTB 3519 to determine whether you have a balance.
- Colorado: If you do not owe any taxes, you do not need to complete any paperwork to request an extension - it's automatically granted for six months. However, if you do owe the state some money, you must pay at least 90 % of that amount by April 17th to the Colorado Department of Revenue to avoid late fees. Send in Form 158-I or pay online.
- Illinois: If you have a state tax liability, complete Form IL-505-I and make a corresponding payment. If you do not anticipate owing the government any money, you do not have to take any action except to file your taxes before the six-month extension is over.
- Missouri: This state recognizes federal tax extension forms and grants the same six-month period as the IRS. However, if you owe Missouri taxes, then you need to fill out Form MO-60 and mail it with your payment by April 17th.
- New York: If you need a six-month extension, you must complete Form IT-370 by April 17th. Like the rules of the IRS and other states, you are required to estimate and pay your tax liability upfront as well.
While states will differ in their tax extension forms, the rules are the same for tax liability: Pay now to avoid penalties and interest charges. Also, it is important to double-check the deadline for your state tax extension. Some states, including Colorado and Illinois, have adopted this year's IRS deadline of April 17th. Others have maintained the traditional April 15th date.
Other extension articles:
Overview of an extension
How to file an extension and extension deadlines
How to file an extension for your business
Filing an extension if out of the United States
Extension filing options
Who enforces state extension rules
Use CompleteTax to file an extension