Corporate Tax Extension: Form 7004 for Form 1120

Form code

12

File Form 7004 by

April 15, 2027

Extended due date

October 15, 2027

Extension

6 months

Who this covers

Any corporation that files Form 1120, including an LLC that elected to be taxed as a corporation. Other 1120-series returns have their own codes (see below).

How to file a corporate tax extension online

Fill it out online free here and mail it by April 15, 2027. Or e-file it through an authorized e-file provider: there's a cost, but you get an IRS acknowledgment and can pay the balance by electronic funds withdrawal in the same step.

Pay by the original due date, and the 90% rule

Form 7004 doesn't extend the time to pay. A corporation that doesn't pay its tax when due is generally charged 1/2 of 1% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month, up to 25%, plus interest.

There's one break for corporations. A corporation with an extension isn't charged the late-payment penalty if two things are true: the tax on Part II, line 6 (or the tax paid by the regular due date) is at least 90% of the tax on the return, and the rest is paid by the extended due date. Interest still applies to the unpaid part.

How corporations pay

Corporations must use electronic funds transfer for federal tax deposits, through EFTPS or the corporation's IRS business tax account. A tax professional, bank or payroll service can make the deposit for you. If you e-file Form 7004, you can also pay by electronic funds withdrawal.

Estimated tax

A corporation that expects its total tax for the year (less credits) to be $500 or more must make estimated tax payments. They're due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th months of the tax year. Those payments go on line 7 of Form 7004.

The corporate late-filing penalty

If Form 1120 isn't filed by its due date, including extensions, the penalty is 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month, up to 25%. For a return required to be filed in 2026 that's more than 60 days late, the minimum is the smaller of the tax due or $525. The IRS can waive it for reasonable cause.

June 30 fiscal-year corporations

A C corporation with a tax year ending June 30 that began before January 1, 2026 files Form 1120 by the 15th day of the 3rd month and gets 7 months. July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026: due September 15, 2026, extended to April 15, 2027. For tax years beginning in 2026, the extension is 6 months. Other fiscal years: the 15th day of the 4th month, plus 6 months. Calculate your dates.

Consolidated groups

Only the common parent (or agent) of a consolidated group can request the group's extension. Check line 3 and attach a list of every member with its name, address and EIN. On paper, the IRS asks for 8.5 x 11 white paper, 12-point Courier, Arial or Times New Roman, black ink, one-sided, at least 1/2-inch margins, two columns (names and addresses on the left, EINs on the right), and two blank lines between members. A corporation that isn't joining the consolidated return files its own Form 7004.

Other 1120-series returns

Their due dates and mailing addresses differ. All codes and where to file.

Where to file a Form 1120 extension

Not sure? Look up your address by return, state and assets.

Common corporate extension mistakes

• Not paying by the original due date and missing the 90% safe harbor.
• Code 25 instead of 12. 25 is Form 1120-S.
• Each group member filing its own Form 7004 when the parent should file one for the consolidated return.
• Forgetting the member list when line 3 is checked.