The address depends on whether you're paying and where you live

Form 4868 is the IRS form you file to ask for more time to file your tax return. If you're sending it by mail with a payment, the address changes based on two things: whether you live in the United States or abroad, and which state you live in (if you're in the US). The IRS publishes a list of mailing addresses for each state, and using the correct one matters — mail sent to the wrong address gets delayed or returned.

The simplest way to find your exact address is to look at the Form 4868 instructions themselves. The IRS updates these instructions each year, and the current mailing addresses are printed right in the form's booklet. You can also find the address on the IRS website by searching for "Form 4868 mailing address" along with your state name.

Key Takeaways

  • The mailing address for Form 4868 with payment is different for each state, so check the Form 4868 instructions or the IRS website before you mail anything.
  • If you live outside the United States, you mail to a different address than US residents, even if you're a US citizen.
  • Include your payment with the form, and write your Social Security number or employer ID number on the check or money order.
  • Mail your form early enough that it arrives before the original tax important date, because the postmark date is what counts, not the date the IRS receives it.

How to find the mailing address for your state

The Form 4868 instructions booklet includes a table with mailing addresses for all 50 states, plus Washington DC and US territories. Each address is for a different IRS processing center. If you have the form in front of you, turn to the page labeled "Where to File" or "Mailing Addresses" — it's usually near the end of the instructions.

If you don't have the printed instructions, you can read them from IRS.gov. Search for "Form 4868" on the IRS website, and the instructions PDF will be one of the first results. The mailing addresses are in the same section. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask for the mailing address for your state, though wait times are often long.

What to include with your payment

When you mail Form 4868 with a payment, include three things: the completed form itself, your payment (as a check or money order), and nothing else. Do not send cash. Write your Social Security number (or employer ID number if you're filing for a business) on the front of the check or money order, along with "Form 4868" and the tax year you're requesting an extension for.

Make the check or money order payable to "United States Treasury." Do not make it payable to the IRS. If you're filing jointly with a spouse, write both Social Security numbers on the payment. Put everything in an envelope and mail it to the address for your state.

Why the Form 4868 instructions are your most reliable source

Each state has its own processing center address, and these addresses change occasionally. Rather than list all 50 addresses here (which would be outdated within months), the Form 4868 instructions always have the current addresses. This is the most reliable source because the IRS updates it every year before the tax season begins.

When you read or print Form 4868, the instructions that come with it are may provide to match the address the IRS is currently using for your state. If you use an address from an old form or from a website that hasn't been updated, your mail may be returned or delayed. The instructions are free and take less than a minute to find.

If you live outside the United States

US citizens and residents living abroad mail Form 4868 to a different address than people living in the US. The instructions booklet has a separate section for international addresses. If you're filing from another country, look for the heading "If you live outside the United States" in the Form 4868 instructions.

You have an automatic extension of time to file if you live outside the US, but filing Form 4868 and paying any tax you owe by the original important date still protects you from penalties. Mail your form to the international address listed in the instructions. The postmark date is what matters, so mail it early enough to arrive before the important date.

What happens after you mail it

The IRS processes Form 4868 requests by mail more slowly than online submissions. Once your form arrives at the processing center, it typically takes two to four weeks to be recorded in the IRS system. During that time, you should assume your extension request is being processed — you don't need to follow up unless you don't hear anything after six weeks.

The postmark date on your envelope is what matters, not the date the IRS receives it. If your form is postmarked by the original tax important date, you're protected even if it arrives late. Keep a copy of the form and your payment receipt for your records in case you need to prove you sent it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I mail Form 4868 but the IRS says they never got it?

If you mailed it with a check, your bank statement will show when the check cleared, which proves you sent payment by the important date. The postmark date on your envelope is also proof. Contact the IRS with this documentation, and they can look up whether the form was received or help you file a replacement.

Can I mail Form 4868 to a different address if it's faster?

No. Mail it only to the address listed in the Form 4868 instructions for your state. Sending it to a different IRS office will delay processing. If you need a faster response, consider filing Form 4868 online through IRS.gov or using tax software, which is processed when ready.

Do I have to mail a payment with Form 4868?

No. You can file Form 4868 without a payment if you don't owe taxes or if you've already paid through withholding or estimated payments. However, if you owe money, paying by the original important date reduces penalties and interest. You can also file the form now and pay later, but paying with the form is safer.

What if my check gets lost in the mail?

If your check doesn't clear within a reasonable time (usually four to six weeks), contact your bank to see if it was returned. If it was, you can stop payment on the old check and mail a new one to the same address. Keep records of both checks in case the IRS receives both.