Many U.S. expats assume they have extra time to file and pay their taxes. While an automatic extension to June 15 is available for filing, missing key deadlines can lead to steep IRS penalties.
The good news? If you don’t owe taxes, you won’t face late payment penalties or interest. However, certain forms—like Form 3520 and Form 3520-A—must still be filed on time to avoid automatic IRS fines.
Key IRS deadlines for U.S. expats
- April 15 – Tax payment deadline (interest starts accruing on unpaid balances).
- June 15 – Automatic expat filing extension (late payment penalties begin).
- October 15 – Extended filing deadline with Form 4868.
- December 15 – Additional extension (must be requested in writing).
Filing an extension does not extend the time to pay taxes—you will still owe interest after April 15.
IRS Penalties: What happens if you miss a deadline?
1. Late Payment Penalty (If You Owe Taxes) – Begins June 15
- 0.5% per month on the unpaid balance, up to 25%.
- Applies even if you file an extension.
2. Late Filing Penalty – Begins June 15
- 5% per month on unpaid tax, up to 25%.
- Avoid this penalty by filing Form 4868 by June 15.
3. Interest on Unpaid Taxes – Begins April 15
- Accrues daily on any unpaid tax.
- Filing an extension does not stop interest from adding up.
Forms that must be filed by october 15 (No december 15 extension allowed)
If you file Forms 3520 and 3520-A under the Substitute Method, you must file these forms by October 15 to avoid severe penalties. Late filing automatically triggers IRS penalty notices.
If you need more information, please reach out to us at contact@americantaxfilings.com.
How to extend your tax filing deadline
File an Extension to October 15 (Form 4868)
- Must be filed by June 15 to extend the tax return deadline.
- Prevents late filing penalties but does not stop interest or late payment penalties.
- Does not extend deadlines for Form 3520 or 3520-A.
✔ Subscribers to our Expat Retail Package and Domestic Retail packages receive this extension for free.
Need more time? Request an additional extension to December 15
- A written request must be sent to the IRS by October 15—not automatic.
- Forms 3520 and 3520-A are NOT eligible for this extension.
✔ We can handle this request for you, ensuring compliance.
How we help expats avoid penalties
At American Tax Filings, we ensure expats stay compliant and avoid costly IRS penalties.
✔ Free Filing Extensions for Subscribers – Our Expat Retail and Domestic Retail packages include a free October 15 extension.
✔ Timely Submission of Forms 3520 and 3520-A – Avoid automatic IRS penalties for late filing.
✔ December 15 Extension Assistance – If needed, we handle formal IRS requests for additional time.
Contact us at contact@americantaxfilings.com to get started today.
Key takeaways for U.S. expats
- April 15 – Pay your taxes to avoid interest charges.
- June 15 – File your return or an extension to prevent penalties.
- October 15 – File your tax return if you extended. Forms 3520 and 3520-A must be filed by this date if using the Substitute Method.
- December 15 – A final extension is available upon request, but not for all forms.
- Subscribers to our Expat Retail and Domestic Retail packages receive free extensions to October 15.
Avoid costly IRS penalties. Contact contact@americantaxfilings.com today.
