The April 15th tax deadline always seems to be approaching fast. It may be wise to make a concerted effort to file as soon as possible. Rapid filers generally enjoy a quicker refund from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and usually do not encounter the frustration and delays typically experienced by late filers.

If you have complex tax planning issues, additional time may be needed to complete your income tax return. If you can’t complete your return by April 15th, you may be able to get an automatic extension (by filing Form 4868) of four months for filing a return, but not for payment of taxes. The IRS will expect a payment of at least 90% of what you owe by April 15th. The remaining balance must be included with your tax return within the extension period.