[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 26, Volume 17] [Revised as of April 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 26CFR53.6081-1] [Page 243] TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) PART 53_FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES--Table of Contents Subpart L_Procedure and Administration Sec. 53.6081-1 Extension of time for filing the return. (a) District directors and directors of service centers are authorized to grant a reasonable extension of time for filing any return, statement, or other document which relates to any tax imposed by Chapter 42 and which is required under the provisions of Chapter 42 or the regulations thereunder. However, except in the case of taxpayers who are abroad, such extensions of time shall not be granted for more than 6 months. An extension of time for filing a return shall not operate to extend the time for the payment of the tax or any part thereof unless specified to the contrary in the extension. (b) The application for an extension of time for filing the return shall be addressed to the district director or director of the service center with whom the return is to be filed and must contain a full recital of the causes for the delay. It should be made before the expiration of the time within which the return otherwise must be filed, and failure to do so may indicate negligence and constitute sufficient cause for denial. It should, where possible, be made sufficiently early to permit consideration of the matter and reply before what otherwise would be the due date of the return. (c) If an extension of time for filing the return is granted, a return shall be filed before the expiration of the period of extension.