A four-month extension on the Apr. 16 filing deadline, which is automatically yours for the asking, is now available by phone and computer, as well as by paper on Form 4868. Before you call, fill out Form 4868 and have a copy of your 1999 tax return handy. You'll be asked questions about that return in order to prove your identity. Any taxpayer or professional preparer with tax-preparation software can request an extension via computer. You'll be asked to provide gross income and total tax from your 1999 return as proof of identity.
Some states allow extensions of the income tax filing deadline as well.
The timetable and forms required vary, depending upon the state. If the IRS later decides the estimate is out of the ballpark, the extension will be voided. That's because the IRS center that processes their returns is in Massachusetts, where Apr. 16 is Patriots Day, a legal holiday. Tax professionals will answer your questions in the Tax Adviser column, appearing here Wednesdays. We will not print your name, address or phone number, but please provide this information.