2010 Tax Returns Due on April 18th – Emancipation Day Observance Causes Deadline Delay
60In IR 2007-15, the IRS discussed its rationale for changing the national income tax return due date in observance of Emancipation Day.
Although Emancipation Day isn’t an official federal holiday, it’s a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Because holidays in DC affect the rest of the nation (for obvious reasons), the IRS also observes Emancipation Day when it coincides with tax filing day. Luckily, this exception only occurs every few years at most.
Washington D.C. Emancipation Day Affects Tax Return Deadline – Why Taxes Aren’t Due on April 15th This Year
For this to happen, one of two scenarios must occur. Keep in mind that Emancipation Day is typically observed on April 16th, and federal tax returns are usually due on April 15th. Both observances will shift to a weekday (the preceding Friday or following Monday) if the traditional day of observance occurs on a Saturday or Sunday.
- Scenario #1: When IRS tax returns are due on April 16th because April 15th happens to fall on a Sunday, the two dates will collide.
- Scenario #2: When Emancipation Day is observed on April 15th because April 16th falls on a Saturday, tax day and Emancipation Day will coincide.
Tax Day 2011: When Are Taxes Due? IRS Income Tax Return Due Date April 18, 2011, Not April 15th
So why aren’t taxes due on April 15th this year? Using the example above, 2010 federal income tax returns would normally be due on Friday, April 15th as usual; however, because Emancipation Day will be observed on that day (April 16th falls on a Saturday), the IRS changed the 2010 tax return due date to the next business day, April 18th.
This unusual tax filing extension will surely come as a pleasant surprise to thousands of Americans who file at the last minute in April 2011.
Earliest Date to File Taxes is in February 2011 for Some – 2010 Tax Return Delays Announced
Funny thing is, even though the 2010 tax return deadline has been extended a few days, the earliest date to file taxes for many Americans has been pushed backed due to implementation issues stemming from recent tax legislation.
The IRS hasn’t set a specific date, but estimates that many tax forms and system updates won’t be ready until mid- or late-February 2011. Read more about when you can file 2010 federal income taxes in the following articles:
esatchel 16 months ago
I once forgot to mail in my taxes on April 15th. I nearly had a stroke. luckily, they owed me so there were no repercussions. It would have been a very different story otherwise! No Emancipation Day for this gal.