Ordinarily, your federal (and most state) income tax returns are due by April 15. If you’ve been delaying doing your taxes, you have a few extra days to file your return. Your federal income tax returns aren’t due until Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Let’s dive into the reasons why Tax Day is on April 18 this year and how that may impact your returns.
Why Tax Day Is April 18, 2017
Tax Day is on April 18 this year because of Emancipation Day. This day is recognized as an official public holiday in Washington, D.C. Emancipation Day is usually celebrated on April 16. But, that day lands on a weekend this year. That means it’s celebrated on the closest weekday, April 17. All federal offices, including the IRS, will be closed on April 17 because of this holiday.
What is Emancipation Day, you ask? It is the anniversary of the day President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery in Washington, D.C.—That’s the day he signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862.
If you live in Massachusetts or Maine, you have even more time to file your federal returns. Residents of these states have until April 19 to file their returns because both states observe Patriot’s Day on April 18. What is Patriot’s Day? It’s a state holiday that commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, which are the first battles of the Revolutionary War.
Those extra days can come in handy if you’ve been putting off your tax returns. More than half of taxpayers hire somebody to prepare their returns. If you’re one of them, here’s how to find a tax professional that is best suited for your needs.
One final note for self-employed workers on tax deadlines: no matter what state you live in, the due date to make your estimated tax payment is April 18, 2017.
