I.R.C. § 6081(a) General Rule —
The Secretary may grant a reasonable extension of time for filing any return, declaration,
statement, or other document required by this title or by regulations. Except in
the case of taxpayers who are abroad, no such extension shall be for more than 6
months.
I.R.C. § 6081(b) Automatic Extension For Corporation Income Tax Returns —
An extension of 6 months for the filing of the return of income taxes imposed by
subtitle A shall be allowed any corporation if, in such manner and at such time as
the Secretary may by regulations prescribe, there is filed on behalf of such corporation
the form prescribed by the Secretary, and if
such corporation pays, on or before the date prescribed for payment of the tax, the
amount properly estimated as its tax; but this extension may be terminated at any
time by the Secretary by mailing to the taxpayer notice of such termination at least
10 days prior to the date for termination fixed in such notice. In the case of any
return for a taxable year of a C corporation which ends on December 31 and begins
before January 1, 2026, the first sentence of this subsection shall be applied by
substituting “5 months” for “6 months”. In the case of any return for a taxable year
of a C corporation which ends on June 30 and begins before January 1, 2026, the first
sentence of this subsection shall be applied by substituting “7 months” for “6 months”.
I.R.C. § 6081(c) Cross References —
For time for performing certain acts postponed by reason of war, see section 7508, and by reason of Presidentially declared disaster or terroristic or
military action, see section 7508A.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 751; Oct. 4, 1976,
Pub. L. 94-455, title XIX, 1906(b)(13)(A), 90 Stat. 1834; Sept. 3, 1982, Pub. L. 97-248, title III, 234(b)(2)(B), 96 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 107-134, title I, Sec. 112(d)(2), 115 Stat. 2427; Pub. L. 114-41, title II, Sec. 2006(c)(1), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 443.)
BACKGROUND NOTES
AMENDMENTS
2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114-41, Sec. 2006(c)(1), amended subsec. (b) by substituting “6 months” for “3 months” and by adding the
two sentences at the end.
2002—Subsec. (c) Pub. L. 107-134, Sec. 112(d)(2), amended subsec. (c). Prior to amendment it read as follows:
“(c) Postponement by reason of war
“For time for performing certain acts postponed by reason of war, see section 7508.”
1982--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97- 248 struck out “or the first installment thereof required
under section 6152” after “the amount properly estimated as its tax”.
1976--Pub. L. 94-455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”
wherever appearing.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 114-41, Sec. 2006(c)(1), effective for returns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-134, Sec. 112(d)(2), applicable to disasters and terroristic or military actions occurring on or after
September 11, 2001, with respect to any action of the Secretary of the Treasury, the
Secretary of Labor, or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation occurring on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-248 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 234(e)
of Pub. L. 97-248, set out as a note under section 6655 of this title.
ABATEMENT OF INTEREST ON UNDER-PAYMENTS BY TAXPAYERS IN PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER
AREAS OF PUB. L. 105-34
Section 915(a) of Pub. L. 105-34, as amended by Sec. 4003(e)(2) of Pub. L. 105-277, provided that:
“(a) In General.--If the Secretary of the Treasury extends for any period the time
for filing income tax returns under section 6081 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the time for paying income tax with respect to such returns under section
6161 of such Code (and waives any penalties relating to the failure to so file or
so pay) for any individual located in a Presidentially declared disaster area, the
Secretary shall, notwithstanding section 7508A(b) of such Code, abate for such period
the assessment of any interest prescribed under section 6601 of such Code on such
income tax.
(b) Presidentially Declared Disaster Area.--For purposes of subsection (a), the term
“Presidentially declared disaster area” means, with respect to any individual, any
area which the President has determined during 1997 or 1998 warrants assistance by
the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act.
(c) Individual.--For purposes of this section, the term “individual” shall not include
any estate or trust.
(d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to disasters declared after December
31, 1996.”