Filing taxes can be incredibly stressful—deadlines loom, forms pile up, and one small error might mean penalties or audits. For many, it’s a confusing maze of numbers and jargon. The pressure to be accurate, combined with fear of owing money, makes tax season a dreaded, anxiety-inducing time every year.

The official deadline is April 15th. But take a breath. There is something you can do if you need more time. 

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You'll want to file a formal extension with Form 4868 to get it on the books with the IRS. This gives you six months longer, until October 15th, to file. This isn't an extension to pay if you currently owe the IRS, but gives you a buffer to get your tax info together.

And just an FYI, if you file more than 60 days late WITHOUT requested an extension, the IRS can hit you with a penalty of up to 100 percent of the tax owed and you definitely don't want that.

Hoping to file for free? You can do that, too. Visit irs.gov/filing.