The Cheapest Way to File a Tax Extension (2026)
An honest look at what an IRS extension actually costs across the main providers — including the free options for a simple personal return. For business (7004) and nonprofit (8868) extensions, GrantExtension is among the cheapest full-service filers at a flat $9.95, with Form 4868 just $4.95.
Single federal e-file, price per form
| Provider | 4868 | 7004 | 8868 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GrantExtension | $4.95 | $9.95 | $9.95 |
| IRS Free File / Direct Pay | Free | n/a | n/a |
| TurboTax Easy Extension | Free | via paid product | n/a |
| EZExtension | $9.99 | $9.99 | Not offered yet |
| Tax2efile | $9.99 | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| TaxZerone | $11.99 | $17.99 | $14.99 |
| ExpressExtension | $12.95 | $19.95 | $14.95 |
| TaxExtension.com | $19.95+ (tiers) | $24.95+ (tiers) | Not published |
Figures verified from each provider's site as of July 2026. "n/a" = form not offered; tiered providers (TaxExtension.com) vary by plan. Free options (IRS Free File, IRS Direct Pay, TurboTax) cover the simple 4868 only. Always confirm current pricing on each provider's site before relying on it.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Simple personal 1040, comfortable with IRS tools? Free File or Direct Pay can extend you for $0. If you'd rather have a guided flow and instant confirmation, our Form 4868 is $4.95.
- Business return (7004)? No free IRS option exists. We file it for a flat $9.95 — at or below the cheap-tier floor and well under premium filers.
- Nonprofit (8868)? Several cheap filers skip 8868 entirely (the $9.99 price leader doesn't offer it). We file it for a flat $9.95.
Why GrantExtension is the easiest cheap option
- Transparent flat pricing — one fee shown before you pay, no tiers or per-credit math.
- All three federal forms (4868, 7004, 8868) in one clean, mobile-first flow.
- About a 5-minute filing with instant IRS e-file and email confirmation.
- We never store your sensitive tax data after the extension is filed.
- Money-back guarantee if the IRS rejects a return we can't fix.
Compare head-to-head: vs. ExpressExtension · vs. TaxExtension.com
Disclaimer: competitor pricing and features verified from each provider's site as of July 2026; details change — confirm current pricing on the provider's site. Not affiliated with any provider listed. Free IRS options may have eligibility limits — confirm on IRS.gov.