Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Edition Rev. December 2025 (created 8/29/25) 2 pages

Form 8809 — Application for Extension of Time To File Information Returns

The IRS request payers use to get 30 more days to file Forms W-2, 1099 and other information returns with the IRS.

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Form 8809 · Application for Extension of Time To File Information Returns
The official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form, edition Rev. December 2025 (created 8/29/25) — blank
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Form 8809 (2025) Application for Extension of Time To File Information Returns — page 1 of 2
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Form 8809 (2025) Application for Extension of Time To File Information Returns — page 2 of 2
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

What is Form 8809?

Form 8809 asks the IRS for more time to file information returns with the IRS: Forms W-2, W-2G, 1042-S, 1094-C, 1095, 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498 and 8027. For every form except W-2 and 1099-NEC the first 30-day extension is automatic, needs no reason and no signature, and can be requested online. A second 30-day extension is possible if the first was granted and the new request is filed before it runs out.

Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC are different: only one 30-day extension is available, it isn't automatic, and you must meet one of the reasons on line 7, such as a catastrophic event in a federally declared disaster area, a fire or casualty, the death, serious illness or unavoidable absence of the person responsible, the first year of the business, or not receiving payee data in time. These nonautomatic requests, and every additional extension, go on a paper Form 8809 signed by the filer or a person authorized to sign a return.

Form 8809 doesn't give more time to send copies to recipients; that's Form 15397. FileIt guides you through the form, prints the TIN in the comb boxes without hyphens as the IRS asks, checks that a reason is given when one is needed, and saves the official IRS PDF in your vault, ready to sign with FileIt eSignature if it needs a signature. You send it yourself.

Who fills it
Payers and filers of information returns (employers, businesses, financial institutions, withholding agents) or their transmitters.
Sent to
Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0209, or online through IRIS or FIRE for automatic extensions.
When
As soon as you know you need it, but not before January 1, and by the due date of the returns.
Signatures
None for the automatic extension. Required for W-2 / 1099-NEC requests and additional extensions.
Edition
Rev. December 2025
Agency
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury

Who needs to fill out Form 8809?

  • Employers who can't file Forms W-2 with the Social Security Administration by the due date.
  • Businesses that pay contractors and can't file Forms 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC in time.
  • Banks, brokers and other financial institutions filing Forms 1099, 1098 or 5498.
  • Withholding agents filing Form 1042-S, and employers or insurers filing Forms 1094-C, 1095-B or 1095-C.
  • Large food or beverage establishments filing Form 8027.
  • Transmitters and preparers asking for several payers at once (with a typed list of names and TINs).

When to use Form 8809

  • Before the filing due date of the information returns. The page 2 table gives the dates: for example January 31 for Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC, February 28 on paper (March 31 electronically) for Forms 1097, 1098 and 1099, March 15 for Form 1042-S and May 31 for Form 5498.
  • If you need more time for several form types, file by the earliest due date, or use more than one Form 8809.
  • For a second 30-day extension of the other forms, after the first was granted and before it runs out (line 5, on paper, with a line 7 reason).

What you need before you start

  • The payer's legal name and TIN exactly as when the EIN was assigned, and a mailing address.
  • A contact person, with telephone number and email address.
  • Whether you'll file the returns electronically or on paper (one Form 8809 per method).
  • Which forms you need more time for.
  • For W-2, 1099-NEC or an additional extension, the reason that applies, and someone authorized to sign.
  • For several payers, the total number and a typed list of their names and TINs.

What’s on Form 8809

The 2025 edition has 2 pages. FileIt asks for it in 5 parts, and it is signed by Payer / filer:

  1. Lines 1–2: Payer's/filer's informationPayer / filer
  2. Lines 3–5: Method, number of payers, additional extensionPayer / filer
  3. Line 6: The forms you need more time forPayer / filer
  4. Line 7: Why you need the extension (W-2, 1099-NEC or an additional extension)Payer / filer
  5. SignaturePayer / filer

How to fill out Form 8809, step by step

1 Line 1: Payer's/filer's information

Enter the name, in-care-of name and complete mailing address where you want IRS correspondence sent, plus a contact name, telephone number and email address. The legal name must be exactly the one given when the EIN was assigned, with no abbreviations. A preparer who wants the mail can enter the client's name, care of the firm, and the firm's address.

2 Line 2: Taxpayer identification number

Enter the payer's nine-digit EIN, QI-EIN, WP-EIN or WT-EIN, or an SSN if the payer isn't required to have an EIN. Don't enter hyphens.

3 Lines 3 and 4: Method and number of payers

Check whether you'll file the information returns electronically or on paper, and use a separate Form 8809 for each method. If the request covers more than one payer, enter the total number and attach a typed list of names and TINs; leave line 4 blank for a single payer.

4 Line 5: Additional extension

Check it only if you already received the automatic 30-day extension and need an additional one for the same year and the same forms. Additional requests must be on paper and need a reason on line 7. No additional extension is allowed for Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC.

5 Line 6: Forms

Check only the boxes for the forms you need more time for. Don't enter the number of returns.

6 Line 7: Reasons

Needed for Forms W-2 or 1099-NEC, or if you checked line 5. Check every reason that applies: a catastrophic event in a federally declared disaster area; fire, casualty or natural disaster; death, serious illness or unavoidable absence of the person responsible for filing; first year of establishment; or not receiving payee statement data, such as a Schedule K-1 or Form 1042-S, in time.

7 Signature

No signature is needed for the automatic extension. A nonautomatic request (W-2, 1099-NEC or an additional extension) must be signed under penalties of perjury by the filer/transmitter or a person duly authorized to sign a return, with title and date.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using Form 8809 to get more time to give copies to recipients. That's Form 15397.
  • Expecting an automatic extension for Forms W-2 or 1099-NEC. They need a line 7 reason, a paper form and a signature.
  • Asking for an additional extension for Forms W-2 or 1099-NEC, which isn't allowed.
  • Filing after the due date of the returns. An extension can't be granted then.
  • Entering the TIN with hyphens, or a name that doesn't match the IRS records.
  • Entering the number of returns on line 6, or listing recipients instead of payers on the attached list.
  • Sending a copy of Form 8809 with the returns. Only a paper Form 8027 includes a copy.

After you fill it out

Mail the paper form to the Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0209, by the due date of the returns, or request an automatic extension online through IRIS or FIRE instead (FIRE's online form isn't available for W-2, 1099-NEC or additional extensions). Sign it first if it's a nonautomatic or additional request.

File the information returns as soon as they're ready, without a copy of Form 8809 (except a paper Form 8027). The extension covers filing with the IRS only, so recipients still need their statements on time unless you also get an extension with Form 15397.

FileIt keeps the finished PDF in your vault as a record of the request.

Fill out Form 8809 online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 35 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form 8809 now — it’s free

Form 8809: frequently asked questions

How much extra time does Form 8809 give?

30 days from the original due date. For forms other than W-2 and 1099-NEC you may ask for an additional 30 days if the first extension was granted.

Is the extension for Form W-2 automatic?

No. For Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC only one 30-day extension is available, you must meet one of the line 7 reasons, and the request must be on paper and signed.

Does Form 8809 need a signature?

Not for the automatic 30-day extension. It must be signed for an additional extension or for Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC.

Does Form 8809 extend the deadline for giving recipients their copies?

No. It extends only the time to file with the IRS. For recipient statements, see Form 15397 and the extensions part of the general instructions for information returns.

Where do I mail Form 8809?

To the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0209.

Can I file Form 8809 online?

Yes, for automatic extensions, free through IRIS or through the FIRE System. Requests for W-2, 1099-NEC and additional extensions must be on paper.

Can one Form 8809 cover several payers?

Yes. Enter the total number of payers on line 4 and attach a typed list of their names and TINs. A list can't be attached to the online fill-in form on FIRE.

Can I fill out Form 8809 with FileIt?

Yes. FileIt prints your answers into the official IRS PDF and saves it in your vault. You sign it if needed and send it to the IRS yourself.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

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