File an Extension in about 6 Minutes

Six minutes: that's how long it took me to electronically file an extension and send payment to the IRS. And that included having to retype information because I wasn't reading the data screen too carefully and walking to the file cabinet to grab the checkbook so I could make a payment. Both TaxACT and TaxCut (links below) enable you to e-file your extension. TurboTax will print out the extension form but won't e-file it. So in terms of getting an extension form actually to the IRS computers tonight, it looks like TaxACT and TaxCut are the best options.

• TaxACT free extension e-file and related instructions
• TaxCut extension e-file (not free, requires payment of at least $19.95) and related instructions