What happens if I missed the deadline to file my taxes?

Even if you missed the April 15 deadline to file your federal income taxes, there are ways to get back on track.

The deadline to file federal income tax returns has come and gone. But if you missed it, there are still some options available to get yours filed and hopefully mitigate any penalties.

Amid the chaos of life, it's not uncommon for people to miss the April 15 deadline. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some steps to take to get back on track.

Missing the tax day deadline isn't the end of the world. For some, there is no penalty for filing a late return — but only if you know you'll be getting a refund this year. If you didn't file in time and owe taxes, that's where penalties and interest come into play.

If you think you may owe, then it's important to file as soon as possible. You can get an accurate estimate of whether you owe by quickly looking over last year's return and seeing if anything changed.