A calendar of key dates for filing your US Taxes

Filing your US Taxes for 2024? Here are the key dates you need to be aware of and stick to

As an American living abroad, it’s essential to be aware of the key tax deadlines and extension dates for the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025) help yourself stay on top of these dates with our calendar of important dates:

1. April 15, 2025: This is the standard deadline for filing your 2024 U.S. federal income tax return. If you owe any taxes, they are due to be paid by this date to avoid interest and penalties.
2. June 16, 2025: An automatic two month extension will  be granted to US expats who do not owe US taxes but still need to file. This additional time ensures that all international documents are prepared for filling US taxes. If this deadline is not enough there is another extension for October 15th. (Please note that the June 16th deadline is only for federal tax returns for those living outside the US).
3. June 16th 2025: If you already know that the June 16th extension will not be enough time to prepare all the documents needed then you can apply for an additional extension until October 15th extension by submitting a form 4868 before June 16th 2025.
4. October 15, 2025: The extended deadline that can be applied for in June. This extension provides extra time to file your return but does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed. Taxes owed must be paid by April 15th.
5. December 15, 2025: If it is not possible for you to file before October 15th there is an additional extension available until December 15th. However this is not automatic and is assessed on a case by case basis. In order to be given these additional two months a hand written letter must be sent to the IRS detailing why the extra time is needed.

This extension is usually granted in complex or unusual circumstances.

Avoiding Expat Penalties:

Failure to meet any US tax obligations will result in penalties. Here are some of the main ones to be aware of:

• Failure to File: A 5% penalty on the taxes owed for every month the tax return is late, up to a maximum of 25%.
• Failure to Pay: A 0.5% monthly penalty on unpaid taxes, also capped at 25%.
• Interest on Due Taxes: Interest continues to accrue on any unpaid tax amounts.
• Failure to File FBAR: Every unfiled FBAR could result in up to $5,000 for each violation

If you are looking for specialist US Tax advice as an expat, get in touch with our team who will be able to support you. You can read more about the services we offer HERE or you can email us on hello@jarem.co.uk or call us on 01525 852769.