If you are applying for an automatic 5-month extension, enter the appropriate Form Code in the boxes on line 1a to indicate the type of return for which you are requesting an extension. Enter only one Form Code. If you make a Form Code entry on line 1a, do not make a Form Code entry on line 1b.

If you are applying for an automatic 6-month extension, enter the appropriate Form Code in the boxes on line 1b to indicate the type of return for which you are requesting an extension. Enter only one Form Code. If you make a Form Code entry on line 1b, do not make a Form Code entry on line 1a.

Check the box on line 2 if you are requesting an extension of time to file for a foreign corporation that does not have an office or place of business in the United States. The entity should file Form 7004 by the due date of the return (the 15th day of the 6th month following the close of the tax year) to request the automatic 6-month extension.

Only the common parent of a consolidated group can request an extension of time to file the group's consolidated return.

Attach a list of all members of the consolidated group showing the name, address, and EIN for each member of the group. If you file a paper return, you must provide this information using the following format: 8.5 x 11, 20 lb. white paper, 12 point font in Courier, Arial, or Times New Roman; black ink; one sided printing, and at least ½ inch margin. Information is to be presented in a two column format, with the left column containing affiliates' names and addresses, and the right column containing the TIN with ½ inch between the columns. There should be two blank lines between listed affiliates.

Generally, all members of a consolidated group must use the same taxable year as the common parent corporation. If, however, a particular member of a consolidated group is required to file a separate income tax return for a short period and seeks an extension of time to file the return, that member must file a separate Form 7004 for that period. See Regulations section 1.1502-76 for details.

Any member of either a controlled group of corporations or an affiliated group of corporations not joining in a consolidated return must file a separate Form 7004.

If you do not use a calendar year, complete the lines showing the tax year beginning and ending dates.

Check the applicable box for the reason for the short tax year. If the box for “Change in accounting period” is checked, the entity must have applied for approval to change its tax year unless certain conditions have been met. For more information, see Form 1128, Application To Adopt, Change, or Retain a Tax Year, and Pub. 538, Accounting Periods and Methods.

Enter the total tax, including any nonrefundable credits, the entity expects to owe for the tax year. See the specific instructions for the applicable return to estimate the amount of the tentative tax. If you expect this amount to be zero, enter -0-.

Enter the total payments and refundable credits. For more information about “write-in” payments and credits, see the instructions for the applicable return.

Form 7004 does not extend the time to pay tax. If the entity is a corporation or affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated return, the corporation must remit the amount of the unpaid tax liability shown on line 8 on or before the due date of the return.

Domestic corporations must deposit all income tax payments by using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or with Form 8109, Federal Tax Deposit Coupon, by the due date of the return. If you file Form 7004 electronically, you can pay by Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW). See Form 8878-A, IRS e-file Electronic Funds Withdrawal Authorization for Form 7004. If the corporation expects to have a net operating loss carryback, the corporation can reduce the amount to be deposited to the extent of the overpayment resulting from the carryback, provided all other prior year tax liabilities have been fully paid and Form 1138, Extension of Time for Payment of Taxes by a Corporation Expecting a Net Operating Loss Carryback, is filed with Form 7004.

Foreign corporations that maintain an office or place of business in the United States should pay their tax as described above for domestic corporations.

For foreign corporations that do not maintain an office or place of business in the United States and need to make a payment, see Note below.

A trust (Form 1041), electing large partnership (Form 1065-B), or REMIC (Form 1066) will be granted an extension even if it cannot pay the full amount shown on line 8. But it should pay as much as it can to limit the amount of penalties and interest it will owe. If the trust, electing large partnership, or REMIC needs to make a payment, see Note below.

If you are requesting an extension of time to file Form 1042, see the deposit rules in the instructions for the form to determine how payment must be made.