Which form must be filled out to receive an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return?

To receive an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return, a taxpayer must complete Form 4868. This form is specifically designed for individuals who wish to extend the deadline for filing their tax returns, providing an additional six months to file. It’s important to note that while Form 4868 allows for an extension to file, it does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed; taxpayers must estimate their tax liability and pay any due amount by the original filing deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

The other forms listed do not pertain to requesting an extension to file taxes. For example, Form 9465 is used to apply for an installment agreement for paying taxes owed, which is unrelated to extending the filing deadline. Form 8815 relates to the exclusion of interest from Series EE and I U.S. savings bonds used for educational expenses, while Form 8888 is used to allocate a tax refund to multiple accounts. None of these forms serve the purpose of extending the filing deadline for individual income tax returns.