26 U.S.C. § 6081 (INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
§ 6081. Extension of time for filing returns
(a) General rule
The Secretary may grant a reasonable extension of time for filing any return, declaration, statement, or other document required by this title or by regulations. Except in the case of taxpayers who are abroad, no such extension shall be for more than 6 months.
(b) Automatic extension for corporation income tax returns
An extension of 6 months for the filing of the return of income taxes imposed by subtitle A shall be allowed any corporation if, in such manner and at such time as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe, there is filed on behalf of such corporation the form prescribed by the Secretary, and if such corporation pays, on or before the date prescribed for payment of the tax, the amount properly estimated as its tax; but this extension may be terminated at any time by the Secretary by mailing to the taxpayer notice of such termination at least 10 days prior to the date for termination fixed in such notice. In the case of any return for a taxable year of a C corporation which ends on December 31 and begins before January 1, 2026, the first sentence of this subsection shall be applied by substituting “5 months” for “6 months”. In the case of any return for a taxable year of a C corporation which ends on June 30 and begins before January 1, 2026, the first sentence of this subsection shall be applied by substituting “7 months” for “6 months”.
(c) Cross references
For time for performing certain acts postponed by reason of war, see section 7508, and by reason of Presidentially declared disaster or terroristic or military action, see section 7508A.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 751; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 234(b)(2)(B), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 107–134, title I, § 112(d)(2), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2435; Pub. L. 114–41, title II, § 2006(c)(1), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 459.)
heading: Amendments
text: 2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–41 substituted “6 months” for “3 months” and inserted at end “In the case of any return for a taxable year of a C corporation which ends on December 31 and begins before January 1, 2026, the first sentence of this subsection shall be applied by substituting ‘5 months’ for ‘6 months’. In the case of any return for a taxable year of a C corporation which ends on June 30 and begins before January 1, 2026, the first sentence of this subsection shall be applied by substituting ‘7 months’ for ‘6 months’.”
2002—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–134 amended heading and text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For time for performing certain acts postponed by reason of war, see section 7508.”
1982—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–248 struck out “or the first installment thereof required under section 6152” after “the amount properly estimated as its tax”.
1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
heading: Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 114–41, title II, § 2006(c)(2), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 459, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to returns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.”
heading: Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–134, title I, § 112(f), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2435, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting section 1148 of Title 29, Labor, and amending this section, sections 6161, 6404, 7508, and 7508A of this title, and section 1302 of Title 29] shall apply to disasters and terroristic or military actions occurring on or after September 11, 2001, with respect to any action of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 23, 2002].”
heading: Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 97–248 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 234(e) of Pub. L. 97–248, set out as a note under section 6655 of this title.
heading: Modification of Due Dates by Regulation
text: Pub. L. 114–41, title II, § 2006(b), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 458, provided that:
“In the case of returns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s designee, shall modify appropriate regulations to provide as follows:
“(1) The maximum extension for the returns of partnerships filing Form 1065 shall be a 6-month period ending on September 15 for calendar year taxpayers.
“(2) The maximum extension for the returns of trusts filing Form 1041 shall be a 5½-month period ending on September 30 for calendar year taxpayers.
“(3) The maximum extension for the returns of employee benefit plans filing Form 5500 shall be an automatic 3½-month period ending on November 15 for calendar year plans.
“(4) The maximum extension for the returns of organizations exempt from income tax filing Form 990 (series) shall be an automatic 6-month period ending on November 15 for calendar year filers.
“(5) The maximum extension for the returns of organizations exempt from income tax that are required to file Form 4720 returns of excise taxes shall be an automatic 6-month period beginning on the due date for filing the return (without regard to any extensions).
“(6) The maximum extension for the returns of trusts required to file Form 5227 shall be an automatic 6-month period beginning on the due date for filing the return (without regard to any extensions).
“(7) The maximum extension for filing Form 6069, Return of Excise Tax on Excess Contributions to Black Lung Benefit Trust Under Section 4953 and Computation of Section 192 Deduction, shall be an automatic 6-month period beginning on the due date for filing the return (without regard to any extensions).
“(8) The maximum extension for a taxpayer required to file Form 8870 shall be an automatic 6-month period beginning on the due date for filing the return (without regard to any extensions).
“(9) The due date of Form 3520–A, Annual Information Return of a Foreign Trust with a United States Owner, shall be the 15th day of the 3d month after the close of the trust’s taxable year, and the maximum extension shall be a 6-month period beginning on such day.
“(10) The due date of Form 3520, Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts, for calendar year filers shall be April 15 with a maximum extension for a 6-month period ending on October 15.
“(11) The due date of FinCEN Report 114 (relating to Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) shall be April 15 with a maximum extension for a 6-month period ending on October 15 and with provision for an extension under rules similar to the rules in Treas. Reg. section 1.6081–5. For any taxpayer required to file such Form for the first time, any penalty for failure to timely request for, or file, an extension, may be waived by the Secretary.”