Why Is The 2012 Tax Deadline April 17th?
Taxpayers now have until Tuesday, April 17, to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due because April 15 fell on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Monday, April 16. According to federal law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have two extra days to file this year. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 15 to file their 2012 tax returns.
Now for those who were wondering what Emancipation Day might be, I have that answer as well.
Emancipation Day is a holiday in Washington DC to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which president Abraham Lincoln signed on April 16, 1862. It is annually held on April 16 and is a legal holiday in Washington DC. Local government offices are closed and many public services do not operate. However, many stores and businesses are open and there are no changes to public transit services.
In all other areas of the United States, April 16 is a normal day and public life is not affected.
The good news now for tax procrastinators is that you now have until midnight April 17th to get those taxes done. Yes it can wait until tomorrow.