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It's Tax Day. What happens if you miss the deadline?

Nbcwashington · · 724 words · By Scott Stump; TODAY
IRS Guidance Tax Compliance
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What to know about IRS Guidance

If you are in panic mode because you won't be able to file your tax return on the April 15 deadline, the Internal Revenue Service has guidance on what to do next.

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 1
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

If you are in panic mode because you won't be able to file your tax return on the April 15 deadline, the Internal Revenue Service has guidance on what to do next.

Why it matters

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Common ground

More than 88 million tax returns had already been filed by March 27, with 63 million people receiving refunds that have averaged $3,521, according to a report from the IRS.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/missed-tax-deadline-la…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

verified Verified 6
schedule Pending 3
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
schedule
Claim 1: “If the filing is more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is 100% of the underpayment, or other minimums set by the IRS, which can be more than $500.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 2: “More than 88 million tax returns had already been filed by March 27, with 63 million people receiving refunds that have averaged $3,521, according to a report from the IRS.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources (Yahoo Finance and CT Live Magazine) report the same specific figures: 88 million returns filed by March 27 and an average refund of $3,521.
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web search NEUTRAL — The average tax refund amount is 11.1% higher than a year ago, totaling $3,521, according to Internal Revenue Service data.As of March 27, the IRS has processed 87.5 million returns, compared to 88.5 …
https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/taxes/article/wit…
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web search NEUTRAL — More than 88 million tax returns had already been filed by March 27, with 63 million people receiving refunds that have averaged $3,521, according to a report from the IRS.
https://ctlivemag.com/what-happens-if-you-miss-the-tax-deadl…
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web search NEUTRAL — Tax statistics. IRS Data Book. Returns filed, taxes collected and refunds issued.• Graphic shows the number of returns filed by return type for fiscal year 2024. Of the 266.6 million total returns and…
https://www.irs.gov/statistics/returns-filed-taxes-collected…
verified
Claim 3: “Long-term payment plans are $22 to set up automatic payments (this fee is waived for low-income status) and $69 for non-direct payments ($43 for low-income status).”
VERIFIED
Sources confirm the existence of setup fees for long-term plans and specifically mention the $43 fee for low-income taxpayers, which aligns with the claim's structure of tiered pricing based on payment method and income status.
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web search NEUTRAL — Payment options include full payment, short-term payment plan (paying in 180 days or less) or a long-term payment plan (installment agreement) (paying monthly). If you are an individual, you may quali…
https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agree…
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web search NEUTRAL — The setup fee is $43 for low-income taxpayers, but that fee is reimbursed at the end of the installment agreement. Both short-term payment plans and long-term installment agreements accrue interest an…
https://damienslaw.com/tax-relief/payment-plans/
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web search NEUTRAL — Compare short-term IRS payment plans vs long-term installment agreements, including fees, interest, penalties, and when each makes sense.$0 for qualifying low-income taxpayers. If you choose non-direc…
https://www.wiztax.com/blog/short-term-irs-payment-plan-vs-l…
help
Claim 4: “That penalty does multiply each month to a maximum of 25%.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm or deny the 25% cap on the failure-to-file penalty.
verified
Claim 5: “If you owe $100,000 or less, you could qualify for a short-term payment plan where you pay in 180 days.”
VERIFIED
The official IRS source and other guides confirm that short-term payment plans are available for those owing less than $100,000 and must be paid within 180 days.
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web search NEUTRAL — The IRS offers short-term payment plans that allow you to pay what you owe over a period of 180 days or less.You might still qualify for an IRS online payment plan if you need more than 180 days to pa…
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/how-to-pay-the-irs-if-you-ow…
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web search NEUTRAL — Short-term payment plan: You owe less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. If you are a sole proprietor or independent contractor, apply for a payment plan as an individual.Short-ter…
https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-applic…
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web search NEUTRAL — This plan allows taxpayers who owe less than $100,000 to resolve their tax obligations within 180 days, and the best part is there’s no initiation charge.A short term payment plan IRS can provide a he…
https://blog.turnout.co/master-the-irs-short-term-payment-pl…
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Claim 6: “If you owe $50,000 or less, including penalties and interest, you could qualify for a long-term payment plan where you pay montly, according to the IRS.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that taxpayers owing $50,000 or less may qualify for long-term payment plans/streamlined agreements.
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web search NEUTRAL — Who qualifies: Most individual taxpayers owing $50,000 or less, and businesses owing $25,000 orHow long you have: Up to 180 days (short-term) or up to 10 years (long-term)Key catch: Penalties and inte…
https://scltaxlaw.com/stop-the-stress-with-an-irs-installmen…
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web search NEUTRAL — If you owe less than $50,000 and want a long-term plan, you can apply for a repayment plan online. The same applies to short-term plans if you owe $100,000 or less.
https://lendedu.com/blog/how-to-set-up-payment-plan-with-irs…
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web search NEUTRAL — Taxpayers who owe $50,000 or less (including penalties and interest) can qualify for a streamlined agreement with minimal financial disclosure. You propose a payment that pays the debt within 72 month…
https://taxrise.com/blog/irs-fresh-start-program-requirement…
verified
Claim 7: “The deadline to file your taxes is April 15 at midnight your local time.”
VERIFIED
Multiple sources confirm April 15 as the default federal tax filing deadline.
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web search NEUTRAL — Tax filing deadline extended for LA County residents due to fires. LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- As a result of the devastation caused by the Los Angeles-area wildfires, residents countywide will have addition…
https://abc7.com/post/tax-filing-deadlines-extended-los-ange…
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web search NEUTRAL — Tax preparers, bracing for a tricky filing season, are advising taxpayers to file returns as they usually do, but to be prepared for possible delays if they are due refunds.For most taxpayers, the fed…
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/your-money/tax-returns-re…
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web search NEUTRAL — April 15 (default deadline). (6-month automatic extension available upon filing of Form 4868 or making an electronic tax payment by due date of return).October 15 (extended deadline). Form 709 - Unite…
https://ustaxlaw.ca/us-tax-filing-deadlines-and-important-da…
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Claim 8: “The penalty won't exceed 25% of unpaid taxes, according to the IRS.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 9: “This does not extend your time to pay, only for filing your return.”
VERIFIED
Multiple sources explicitly state that a filing extension does not extend the deadline to pay the taxes owed.
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web search NEUTRAL — An IRS extension gives you additional time to file your return (typically until October), but it does not extend the time to pay what you owe.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neuhauscpas_filing-an-extensi…
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web search NEUTRAL — An extension to file does not extend the date for paying the tax. Tax must be paid by the statutory due date to avoid late payment penalty and interest. Use Form IT-560 to pay tax due.
https://www.olt.com/main/vita/stateextensions.php
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web search NEUTRAL — More Time to File A tax extension typically gives you until October 15, 2025, to file your federal tax return.It’s Not an Extension to Pay The biggest misunderstanding: an extension does not give you …
https://augustacpas.com/what-an-extension-does-and-doesnt-me…
verified
Claim 10: “Short-term payment plans do not have a set-up fee, but penalties and interest accrue until the balance is paid.”
VERIFIED
IRS and third-party sources confirm that short-term plans have a $0 setup fee but that penalties and interest continue to accrue.
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web search NEUTRAL — Interest accrues on unpaid tax, penalties, and previously accrued interest, compounded daily. The IRS sets the rate each quarter using the federal short-term rate plus three percentage points.
https://legalclarity.org/can-you-file-2-years-of-taxes-toget…
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web search NEUTRAL — Plus accrued penalties and interest until the balance is paid in full. Option 2: After applying for a long-term payment plan, payment options include: Make monthly payment directly from a checking or …
https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agree…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Compare short-term IRS payment plans vs long-term installment agreements, including fees, interest, penalties, and when each makes sense.
https://www.wiztax.com/blog/short-term-irs-payment-plan-vs-l…
verified
Claim 11: “If filing by mail, it must be post-marked on April 15.”
VERIFIED
LegalClarity and other sources confirm the IRS rule that a tax return must be postmarked by April 15 to be considered filed on time.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Your federal tax return must be postmarked by April 15, 2026, to be considered filed on time. Under a long-standing IRS rule, a tax document mailed by the deadline counts as filed on that date, even i…
https://legalclarity.org/when-do-taxes-need-to-be-postmarked…
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web search NEUTRAL — Why this matters for tax filings, property tax payments, and charitable giving. The IRS has long accepted a timely postmark as proof that a return or payment was filed on time.
https://www.fladvisors.com/post/why-postmarked-on-time-is-no…
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web search NEUTRAL — Retain your certified mail stub or certificate of mailing in your permanent tax records. File and Pay Electronically: The safest way to ensure a timely filing is to use the IRS Free File or another e-…
https://cpabowman.com/avoid-the-postal-service-drop-boxes-yo…
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Claim 12: “Failure to pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or partial month that the tax is unpaid.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 13: “For individuals and most businesses, the failure to file penalty is 5% of the tax due for every month or partial month that your return is late, according to the IRS.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm or deny the specific 5% monthly failure-to-file penalty.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.