Staying on top of your tax duties doesn’t just shield you from penalties—it can keep money in your pocket, too.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set June 16, 2025 as the last day for U.S. citizens and resident aliens living abroad to submit 2024 federal returns. The automatic two‑month grace period covers expatriates and active‑duty military stationed overseas.
Miss this date and you’ll start accruing late‑filing penalties—unless you secure an extra extension first. Ready to see if you qualify?
Who gets the automatic two‑month extension and what paperwork is required
Foreign taxpayers, dual nationals, and members of the armed forces are eligible provided they attach a brief statement to their tax return explaining their residence abroad or their place of assignment. Did you need more time? To do so, you should have submitted Form 4868 or made an electronic payment before June 16, and the deadline would be extended to October 15, 2025. Easy, right? Paying Uncle Sam from another country no longer means juggling paper checks. You can:
- Use IRS Direct Pay for debits from a U.S. bank.
- Enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) for recurring transfers.
- Send an international wire if you don’t have a domestic account.
- Cover the bill with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet—just watch the processing fees.
These methods help you avoid currency surprises and confirm payment within minutes.
Additional reporting obligations that could trigger penalties if you overlook them
Foreign accounts worth more than $10,000 at any time in 2024 must be reported on the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s Form 114 (FBAR). Although the original deadline mirrors Tax Day, the Treasury grants an automatic extension to October 15 if you miss the first cut‑off.
So, who should mark their calendars? Anyone abroad who earned more than the standard deduction—plus those hoping to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit. Remember, claiming these benefits starts with a timely return.
Important dates every overseas taxpayer needs to highlight before the summer rush
| Deadline | What it covers | How to extend |
|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2025 | Regular stateside filing date | N/A |
| June 16, 2025 | Automatic overseas extension | File return or submit Form 4868 |
| October 15, 2025 | Extended filing for Form 4868 filers | No further extensions |
| October 15, 2025 | FBAR if missed April 15 | Automatic, no form needed |
Consequently, act now—because the IRS clock is ticking, and nobody enjoys scrambling at the last minute. Got everything ready? Then hit “file” and relax, knowing you’ve dodged late fees and earned peace of mind.