The deadline for filing tax returns on extension is this Wednesday, October 15th. That’s also the deadline for funding your SEP IRAs. If you procrastinate beyond this date you will be hit with the failure to file penalty (if you owe any tax) of 5% of the tax due per month.
Your paper-filed returns must be postmarked by the 15th. Electronically filed returns must be transmitted by the 15th.
If you haven’t gotten your tax information to your preparer yet, it is definitely time to panic. And if your preparer charges then you an arm and a leg for the doing the return because you brought your information in three days before the extended return deadline, well, don’t do that next time.