As the 2026 tax season gets underway, a growing number of Americans are finding themselves behind on filing their income tax returns. According to recent data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) cited by USA Today, fewer people have filed their tax returns so far this year compared to the same period in 2025. The numbers suggest that procrastination is up, but there may be more to the story—many filers are also wrestling with the ever-complicated tax codes and regulations that seem to get more tangled each year.
For those feeling the crunch as the April 15 deadline looms, there’s some good news: getting extra time to file is not only possible, it’s straightforward. More than 20 million Americans took advantage of filing extensions in 2025, and the IRS expects a similar flood of requests this year. If you think you’ll need a bit more breathing room to gather your paperwork or sort through confusing forms, you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not out of options.
“Use IRS Free File to electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension,” the IRS tax filing extension website advises. This online service is the simplest route, but if you prefer paper, you can file Form 4868, also known as the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. That form can be mailed in, submitted online through an IRS e-filing partner, or handled by a trusted tax professional. The key requirement? You have to get your extension request in before the standard tax season closes on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
What does an extension get you? If approved, you’ll have until Thursday, October 15, 2026, to file your federal tax return—a full six months of extra time. It’s a relief for many, especially those who run into last-minute hurdles (and let’s face it, who hasn’t misplaced a W-2 or gotten stuck on a tricky deduction?).
But here’s the catch: an extension to file is not an extension to pay. The IRS still expects taxes owed to be paid by the original April 15 deadline. Miss that, and you could be facing some steep penalties. Fidelity, a financial services company, explains the consequences in stark terms: “First, you may face a failure-to-file penalty. This is equal to 5% of the taxes you haven’t paid less any available credits, charged monthly for up to 5 months.”
For those who are more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty jumps to the lesser of 100% of the taxes owed or $485—a potentially hefty hit for anyone already struggling to keep up. And that’s not the only penalty in play. “You could also get hit with a failure-to-pay penalty. This one is assessed at the smaller rate of 0.5% of your unpaid taxes, but it’s reapplied each month until you max out at 25% of your unpaid balance,” Fidelity’s advice continues. If both penalties are on the table in any given month, there’s a small silver lining: the failure-to-file penalty is reduced so that the combined penalties don’t exceed 5% per month. Still, those numbers add up quickly.
All this is to say: if you’re running behind, don’t bury your head in the sand. File for an extension if you need it, but try to pay what you owe by April 15 to avoid the worst of the fees. It’s a message that Philadelphia-based journalist Damon C. Williams, reporting for USA Today, emphasizes in his coverage of this year’s tax season trends.
While the IRS rules apply nationwide, some states have their own unique wrinkles this year—especially in Louisiana, where taxpayers have faced additional hardships thanks to Mother Nature. In January 2026, Winter Storm Fern swept across the state, causing widespread disruption and prompting federal disaster declarations for all 64 parishes. In response, the Louisiana Department of Revenue announced special relief for those affected by the storm.
According to KTAL/KMSS, the extension covers individual and business filers whose homes, principal business locations, critical tax records, or paid tax preparers are located in the disaster zones. That’s essentially everyone in Louisiana, given the scope of the federal declaration. The extension applies to a broad range of state tax obligations, including excise taxes, sales taxes, severance taxes, W2, L3, and 1099 forms, as well as withholding taxes.
Here’s how it works: any tax returns or payments that were originally due between January 23, 2026, and February 21, 2026, now have a new deadline—March 31, 2026. The Louisiana Department of Revenue has made it clear that this relief is designed to give individuals and businesses time to recover and regroup after the storm’s impact, without the added stress of looming tax deadlines. More information and details about eligible returns and payments are available on the department’s official site, but the message is clear: those affected by Winter Storm Fern have a little extra time to get their tax affairs in order.
It’s not the first time natural disasters have led to tax relief, and it likely won’t be the last. The IRS and state revenue departments have protocols for extending deadlines in the wake of hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies. For Louisiana residents, this year’s extension is a lifeline, offering a bit of stability in the wake of chaos.
For everyone else, the advice remains the same: don’t wait until the last minute. The IRS’s Free File system is open to all, and Form 4868 is readily available for those who need it. But whether you’re seeking an extension or scrambling to meet the deadline, remember that penalties for late filing and late payment can quickly turn a procrastination problem into a financial headache.
As the tax season marches on, experts warn that the combination of complicated codes, shifting deadlines, and the unpredictability of life—be it natural disaster or simple human error—means more Americans than ever are seeking help. Tax professionals, online filing partners, and the IRS itself are all bracing for a busy season of extension requests and late filings. The numbers from 2025 set a high bar, with over 20 million extensions filed, and all signs point to a repeat performance in 2026.
Ultimately, whether you’re in Louisiana dealing with the aftermath of a storm or elsewhere in the country trying to navigate the labyrinth of federal tax rules, the message is the same: know your options, act early, and don’t let deadlines sneak up on you. Filing for an extension can buy you time, but it won’t save you from penalties if you owe taxes and don’t pay on time. And if you’re among the millions who feel overwhelmed by the process, you’re in good company. The IRS, state agencies, and a host of professionals are there to help—but only if you ask before it’s too late.
With deadlines approaching and penalties looming, taxpayers across the country are weighing their options, hoping to avoid costly mistakes and keep their financial houses in order—one form at a time.