It’s April 15 – But You Have 3 More Days To File Your Taxes

April 15, 2011

Don’t panic just because it’s April 15 — you get three extra days to file your federal taxes this year.

The bonus day is thanks to Emancipation Day, a little-known Washington, D.C., holiday that celebrates the freeing of slaves in the District of Columbia. Emancipation Day falls on Saturday but it is observed in D.C. on Friday. That prompted the IRS to extend the tax filing deadline to April 18 this year. Under the tax code, filing deadlines can’t fall on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.

If you are unable to complete and file your federal individual tax return by the April 18 deadline, you can request an extension of time to file, which will automatically give you until Oct. 17, 2011, to submit your tax return to the Internal Revenue Service.

An extension gives you an additional six months to file your tax return. But keep in mind that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. All outstanding balances are due on April 18, 2011.

In order to get an extension, you need to file Form 4868 with the IRS. Taxpayers can electronically file Form 4868 through IRS Free File or Free File Fillable Forms. Using Free File to prepare and electronically submit Form 4868 is free to everyone, regardless of income.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive