Georgia Personal Tax Extension Guide

Form IT-560  ·  Individual Income Tax  ·  Personal Filing Guide

Georgia residents who need additional time to file their personal income tax return can receive an automatic six-month extension—but only after first securing a federal extension by filing IRS Form 4868. The Georgia Department of Revenue mirrors the federal extension timeline, moving the state filing deadline from April 15, 2026, to October 15, 2026. No separate Georgia extension application is required to obtain this extension, provided your federal extension is in place.

Georgia has a specific requirement that many taxpayers overlook: when you ultimately file your Georgia state tax return, you must enclose a copy of your federal Form 4868 with the return. Failing to include this documentation can cause processing delays or complications with your extension status. Keep a copy of your filed Form 4868 readily available when you prepare your Georgia return.

Like most states, Georgia's extension applies to filing your return—not to paying your taxes. Any Georgia income tax you owe must still be paid by April 15, 2026. To make a payment with your extension, use Form IT-560 (Extension Payment Voucher). If you do not pay by April 15, penalties and interest will begin to accrue on the unpaid balance.

Georgia offers two online payment methods:

• ACH Debit (Georgia Tax Center): Log in at gtc.dor.ga.gov and click "Make a Quick Payment." Extension payments, estimated payments, current tax due, and assessment notices can all be paid through this portal.
• Credit Card (ACI Payments): Pay online at www.acipayonline.com or by phone at 1-800-2PAY-TAX. A convenience fee is charged by ACI Payments, Inc.

Form IT-560 is Georgia's Extension Payment Voucher. Use it when mailing a payment toward your Georgia tax liability by April 15, 2026. The form ensures your payment is properly credited to your account. If you are paying online through the Georgia Tax Center or ACI Payments, you do not need to submit Form IT-560 separately.

• With Payment (Form IT-560):
  Georgia Department of Revenue
  Processing Center
  P.O. Box 105198
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5198

Georgia imposes a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of unpaid tax per month, up to a maximum of 25%. Failure to pay on time carries a separate penalty of 0.5% of unpaid tax per month, also capped at 25%. Both penalties run independently.

• File IRS Form 4868 first to secure your federal extension—Georgia's automatic extension depends on it.
• Pay any Georgia income tax owed by April 15, 2026, using Form IT-560 (mail) or the Georgia Tax Center (online).
• Save a copy of your Form 4868 and include it when you file your Georgia return by October 15.
• Use the Georgia Tax Center (gtc.dor.ga.gov) for ACH payments—no convenience fee and instant confirmation.
• If paying by credit card through ACI, factor in the convenience fee when budgeting your payment.

Georgia makes the extension process straightforward for taxpayers who have a federal extension in place—no separate state application needed. The key obligations are paying any balance due by April 15 and remembering to attach your Form 4868 when you file your return by October 15, 2026.

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