11060: 1120/1120S - Corporate or S corp Extension Form 7004

What is the deadline for filing a 7004?

Extensions must be filed by midnight local time on the normal due date of the return. In the case of an 1120, this is the 15^th day of the 4th month after the end of the tax year of the return. In the case of an 1120-S, this is the 15^th day of the 3rd month after the end of the tax year of the return.

How long is the extension?

For both 1120 and 1120-S returns, the extension is for 6 months. If a calendar year return, an 1120 on a timely filed extension is due on October 15^th. If a calendar year return, an 1120-S on a timely filed extension is due on September 15^th.*

How to produce a 7004:

1. Ensure that screen 1 information is complete.
2. Go into the Other Forms tab (the second one in the 1120) and open the 7004 screen. Select the option Generate an extension (Alternatively, select the PRNT screen option Prepare a Form 7004 based on screen 1 data).
   • If you check the box for Part II, line 3 and the box Consolidated return to be filed, press Page Down to complete the subsidiary listing for the consolidated return. This generates a Form 7004 - Attachment in view mode. 
3. The Amount paid with extension field - an amount entered here carries only to the return and the result letter.
4. Tentative total tax and total payments and credits carry to the 7004 from the return if that data is available. If that data does not carry, or if you want to override the amounts on lines 6 or 7 of the 7004, use the overrides for those lines.  Amounts must appear on those lines for a balance due to be present on the 7004, which is necessary if you intend to make a payment with the extension.
5. You do not need to complete the PIN screen if there is no payment with the extension.
   • If the PIN screen is present, or partially completed, it must be completely filled out. Check this if a PIN-related error is produced. Note that all entries on the E or K1E screen must be present for the person who is marked as signs return. 

Making a payment with the extension:

• The direct debit option is available for 1120 (including 1120-C and 1120-H) and 1120-S.
• On the PMT screen, choose Yes for federal, enter the banking information and select the 7004 option. This will create a PAYMENT worksheet in View/Print mode.
• The PIN screen must be completed.

E-filing the 7004:

• On the EF Selections screen be sure to select the option Federal 7004 only.
• Clear any ETD messages.

Notes:

• If you transmit a timely 7004 and receive an IRS reject, you have 5 days to resend and still be considered "timely filed." See Related Links below.
• The cutoff time for timely filing of the extensions is midnight local time on the due date of the return. We suggest that you send it a few hours before to ensure a timely filing.
• Drake forwards extension requests to the IRS as soon as they are received.
• An extension of time to file DOES NOT extend the time to pay taxes due.
• Some state extensions can be e-filed with the federal extension. See Related Links below. 
• *If the regular or extended due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day. See Related Links below for details. 

Note: If e-filing a state extension, the PIN screen may need to be completed to allow state extension e-filing (where supported), even if the PIN screen is not required for the federal extension. 

Ready to File the Regular Return

There is no need to delete the 7004 screen when you are ready to file the regular return. If you have filed a 7004 for an 1120 or 1120-S return and now want to send the live return, complete the following steps:

1. Complete the return. Return to the 7004 screen and select the option Extension was previously filed; regular return now ready for filing.
2. If a payment was made with the extension, enter the payment in the Amount paid with extension field on the 7004 screen.
3. On the EF Selections screen select the 1120 or 1120S to e-file instead of the 7004.
4. Check the view mode for any red message pages regarding the return.
5. Select the return for EF and transmit.