The IRS made major revisions to the Form 7004 and its Instructions. An automatic extension can be granted for the following returns: Form 990-C, 1041 (estate), 1041 (trust), 1041-N, 1041-QFT, 1042, 1065, 1065-B, 1066, 1120, 1120-A, 1120-F, 1120-FSC, 1120-H, 1120-L, 1120-ND, 1120-ND (section 4951 taxes), 1120-PC, 1120-POL, 1120-REIT, 1120-RIC, 1120S, 1120-C , 1120-SF, 3520-A, 8804, 706-GS(T), 8612, 8613, 8725, 8831, 8876, 706-GS(D). Note: Form 7004 may be filed electronically except for the following: Forms 8612, 8613, 8725, 8831, 8876, or 706-GS(D), instead a paper extension must be mailed to the IRS (see 7004 Instructions).  For specific information on e-filing Form 7004, click here.

The Form 7004 is titled “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns”. For these returns, the requirements for a signature and an explanation of the need for an extension of time to file have also been removed. No notification will be sent that an extension has been approved. Notification will only be sent if the request for an extension is not allowed.

Only one extension form will need to be filed on or before the due date of the appropriate form. A separate Form 7004 will need to be filed for each return.  The Form 7004 must be used for any return with a tax year which ends on or after December 31, 2008. 

For more information regarding extensions, see Treasury Decision 9229 on http://www.irs.gov/irb/2005-48_IRB/, IRS Publication 4163, and Publication 4164.