Late returns: the sooner it is filed, the sooner penalties stop accruing

Already missed the deadline? Every month you wait can add to what you owe.

The failure‑to‑file penalty accrues for each month a return is late, up to its statutory cap. Filing stops that clock. A licensed CPA will prepare your return and get it e‑filed — no judgement, no office visit.

Time left to file

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The deadline is 11:59 PM on October 15 in your own time zone.

Start My Extended Filing

$0. No filing fee, no per-form fee, and nothing deducted from your refund. Create your account in about a minute — no payment details required.

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Licensed CPA 100% Virtual Serving All 50 States

Why choose us

Frustrated by disappointing refunds, long delays, or costly filing mistakes? We’re here to help you get it right.

  • No Cost to File

    Filing your extended return with us costs $0.

  • Accuracy Guarantee

    We’ll help you claim every credit and deduction you qualify for. If an error on our part results in an IRS penalty, we reimburse the penalty.

  • Built for Speed

    We e‑file promptly and check your return for issues before submission, to help you avoid the delays that come from filing errors.

  • Know Where Your Refund Stands

    Once you’re a client, log in anytime to see your filing status and an estimated refund window in your personal dashboard.

What it costs

$0. No filing fee, no per-form fee, and nothing deducted from your refund. You are never asked for card details to create an account or to have your return prepared and e‑filed.

Any tax you owe the IRS is separate, and is paid directly to the IRS rather than to us.

How it works

  1. Create your free account

    Register in about a minute and securely upload your tax documents from your phone or laptop.

  2. Your CPA reviews your return

    A licensed CPA prepares your Form 1040, reviews it for issues, and contacts you with any questions.

  3. We e‑file your return

    Once you approve it, we transmit your return to the IRS electronically and confirm acceptance.

  4. Track your status anytime

    Your dashboard shows where your return stands, and links straight to the IRS refund tool.

Services

  • Individual Returns (Form 1040)

    W‑2 income, interest and dividends, itemised or standard deduction, credits you qualify for.

  • Extension Filers

    You filed Form 4868 and your return is due October 15. We finish it and e‑file it.

  • Self‑Employed / 1099

    Schedule C, business expenses, home office, mileage, and self‑employment tax.

  • Prior‑Year / Catch‑Up Filing

    Unfiled returns from earlier years, brought current so penalties stop accruing.

Why the deadline matters

An extension moved your filing deadline to October 15. It did not move your payment deadline — tax owed was still due back on the original spring due date. That is the part that catches people out.

Two separate penalties can apply. The failure‑to‑file penalty is the expensive one: generally 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part month a return is late, capped at 25%. The failure‑to‑pay penalty is generally 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month, also capped at 25%, and interest accrues on top. In a month where both apply, the IRS reduces the failure‑to‑file penalty by the failure‑to‑pay penalty for that month.

The practical takeaway: file even if you cannot pay in full. Filing stops the larger penalty from growing, and the IRS offers payment plans for the balance.

Rates above reflect the standard IRS penalty structure and are provided for general education. Special rules, minimum penalties and reasonable‑cause relief can change the outcome. Source: IRS penalties guidance (opens in a new tab on irs.gov).

Rough penalty estimator

This is a rough estimate for illustration only, not tax advice — actual penalties depend on your specific situation. Contact us for an exact calculation.

About PapeTax

PapeTax is a virtual CPA practice. We prepare and electronically file individual federal income tax returns — Form 1040 — for clients across the United States, with a particular focus on returns due by the October 15 extended deadline.

Everything happens online. You upload your documents through this site, a licensed CPA prepares and reviews your return and comes back to you with any questions, and we e‑file it once you approve it. There is no office to visit and nothing to post. PapeTax is a trading name of St Fin Corp.

Every paid preparer must hold a valid PTIN and sign the returns they prepare. You can look up any preparer in the IRS directory of federal tax return preparers (opens in a new tab on irs.gov).

Frequently asked questions

Book a free consultation

Not sure where you stand, or want to ask something before you upload anything? Get in touch — there is no charge for the conversation.

Ready to get started instead? Create your account and upload what you have — we will come back to you with any questions.

Get your return filed before October 15.

Create your account, upload your documents, and let a licensed CPA take it from there.

Time left to file

--days
--hrs
--min
--sec

The deadline is 11:59 PM on October 15 in your own time zone.

Start My Extended Filing

$0. No filing fee, no per-form fee, and nothing deducted from your refund.

Licensed CPA 100% Virtual Serving All 50 States