Folks who haven’t yet filed their taxes — especially those who think they’ll wind up owing money — have been looking at their calendars with increasing trepidation the last couple of weeks.

If you haven’t filed by now, it might be time to consider requesting an extension. The process can be completed online, and requesting an extension helps avoid penalties for missing the deadline.

Filing the form gives taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file a return. The quickest way to do so is to click the Free File link on www.IRS.gov and request the extension through Form 4868.

Getting a filing extension does not eliminate interest on any unpaid balance, however.

Those who are able to file by Monday, but cannot pay the full amount due, still should file and pay as much as they can. Most people can set up a payment agreement with the IRS online in a matter of minutes, according to a press release from the Internal Revenue Service.

Folks who are filing their taxes late should take special care to avoid common errors, according to the press release. The IRS recommends filing electronically, which reduces tax-return errors because the software does the calculations and prompts taxpayers for missing information.

If using a paper return, make sure to mail it to the correct address, fill in the requested information clearly and correctly, use the right account numbers, sign and date the return and attach all requested information.

For more information on taxes, visit www.IRS.gov.