So You Missed the Tax Deadline. What Happens Now?

Peter is a writer and editor for the CNET How-To team. He has been covering technology, software, finance, sports and video games since working for @Home Network and Excite in the 1990s. Peter managed reviews and listings for Download.com during the 2000s, and is passionate about software and no-nonsense advice for creators, consumers and investors.

Tax Day (April 15) has come and gone. If you completed and filed your 2025 US federal income tax return on time, congratulations. Now the only hard part is waiting to see when your tax refund will arrive.

But what about procrastinators or people missing tax info who weren't able to finish by yesterday? Well, it depends.

If you filed a free six-month extension, received an automatic two-month extension because you ...