The extension is automatic, and taxpayers do not have to give a reason for asking for the extension. If you don't pay the amount of tax due when you file Form 4868, you will owe interest and may also be charged penalties. Instead, the two-month extension is available only for taxpayers who both live and have their main place of business outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico, or for taxpayers in military or naval service outside the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Processing, however, continues at a faster pace. The IRS processed 48,050,000 returns this year by March 31, compared to 47,024,000 last year, a 2.2 percent increase.
Refunds are also up over last year.
As of March 31 the IRS certified over 37 million refunds, compared to 36 million last year at this time.