Glitch foils tax filing online

System issues lead the IRS to offer a one-day extension.

A computer glitch hit the Internal Revenue Service’s electronic tax-filing system Tuesday, the official deadline to file federal and California personal income tax returns.

But procrastinators need not fret: The IRS announced a penalty-free one-day extension because of the issues that many taxpayers encountered trying to file using e-file and direct pay, which allows taxpayers to pay what they owe through their bank accounts.

The agency said Tuesday afternoon that its systems were back up.

For those who need even more time, you can get a lengthy extension. When dealing with the IRS, you have to request that extension by filing IRS Form 4868. Technically, that form was due by midnight, although Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin told reporters that there would be some flexibility for taxpayers affected by the IRS outage.

If you need an extension from the state, you can just have one: California doesn’t require a form.

Be advised, this extends the due date for your tax returns until Oct. 15, but any federal and California tax money you owe is still due by the normal deadline.

If you’ve already paid enough — or if you’ve overpaid and need a refund — you don’t have to worry now about payment. If you owe tax money and don’t pay by Tuesday, you could be subject to penalties and interest payments.