Tax Day is Extended Due to Emancipation Day
Tax Payers Get an Extra Three Days to File Their Returns in 2011
So, if you're one of those folks who wait in postal lines across the country to file your tax returns just before the midnight deadline, you'll have to wait another three days to queue up this year.
The Internal Revenue Service has extended the deadline for filing 2010 income tax returns until April 18, 2011.
The postponement of the filing deadline is due to Emancipation Day. Never heard of it? You're not alone.
According to Timeanddate.com, Emancipation Day is a legally recognized holiday only in Washington DC. Commemorating the freeing of slaves in Washington DC by the Compensated Emancipation Act, which was signed by Abraham Lincoln on April 16, 1862, Emancipation Day has been observed in Washington DC since 2005 when the legislature named it a State Holiday. The official date is always April 16 but, since that date falls on a Saturday this year, the holiday will be officially observed on Friday, April 15.
This gives all taxpayers a reprieve until Monday, April 18, as Tax Day cannot by law fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
The last time Emancipation Day affected Tax Day was 2007, when the filing date for 2006 income tax returns was extended to April 17.
Published by Martha Fry - Featured Contributor in Business & Finance
Martha Fry works as a freelance writer and editor. An accountant who worked at Peat, Marwick & Mitchell and Price Waterhouse, she also does financial consulting and often writes on business and personal fina... View profile
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18 Comments
Post a CommentI'm not a last-minute filer, but this was interesting information. Thanks!
Three more days to file an extension!
Thank you Martha for this news.
I hadn't realized that Emancipation Day was a legal holiday. Interesting article.
Good to know!
I'm happy for the extension! It doesn't matter if it's a refund or I'm paying. April comes way to fast and I'm always scrambling at the last minute getting our stuff together!
I'd venture to say people will still get to the Post Office at the last minute!
Excellent work ♥ Lori (formerly Zona)
Just heard this on the news, I guess it's good news for many people!! Thanks Martha!!
Good reporting.