If you filed an extension for your 2025 tax return, October 15 may still feel comfortably far away. But waiting until the last minute can make tax preparation more stressful and leave less time to track down missing documents or deal with unexpected issues. Now is a good time to start getting everything together.
What October 15 Actually Means
For most individual taxpayers who requested an extension, October 15 is the deadline to file the 2025 federal income tax return. An extension gave you additional time to file your return, but it did not extend the original deadline for paying any tax that was due.
Once October 15 passes, there are no further extensions, so it’s important to get everything filed by then so you don’t incur further penalities.
If you still owe taxes, filing sooner can also help you understand exactly where you stand and avoid letting the issue linger any longer than necessary.
Start Gathering What You need
If you haven’t already sent your tax documents to your preparer, now is the time to start pulling everything together. Depending on your situation, that may include W-2s and 1099s, investment and retirement statements, business income and expenses, health insurance information, and records for deductions or credits you plan to claim.
Take a few minutes to look through what you have and identify anything that may still be missing. Replacing a lost tax form or getting information from an employer, financial institution, or other source can take time, and that time becomes much more valuable as October 15 gets closer.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Tax returns don’t always go according to plan. A missing document, an unexpected tax issue, or a question that needs additional research can slow things down. Getting your information to your preparer early gives everyone time to address those issues without the pressure of an approaching deadline.
It also gives you time to review your completed return, ask questions, and understand the results before it needs to be filed.
MATRIX TIP
If you’re still waiting for one or two documents, go ahead and send us what you already have. We can start reviewing your information, see what’s missing, and let you know if there’s anything else we’ll need. We may be able to guide you to where you may be able to get the documents on your own. There’s no reason to let one missing document hold up the process.
Additional Resources
The Taxpayer Advocate Service provides additional information and reminders for taxpayers approaching the October 15 extension deadline:
Taxpayer Advocate Service: Important Reminders for October Extension Filers