Tax Deadline Is Extended Until Monday

The familiar April 15 deadline for filing federal and state tax returns is three days later this year thanks to a little-known holiday celebrated in the District of Columbia called Emancipation Day.

It marks the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862, which freed about 3,100 slaves in the district. Normally, the holiday is recognized on April 16, but when it falls on a Saturday, like this year, it is observed the preceding Friday. Under the tax law, District of Columbia holidays are considered federal holidays, which prompted the IRS to move the deadline to April 18.

The Internal Revenue Service estimates that 20 to 25 percent of all taxpayers file wait to file until the last two weeks of tax season and about 7 percent request six-month extensions to file. 

Taxpayers seeking extensions can file Form 4868 electronically through IRS e-file, ask their tax preparer to file the form for a fee or mail a paper copy to the IRS.

Michael Devine, an IRS spokesman for Missouri and Kansas, said that as of April 1, 90 percent of all returns filed in Missouri have been e-filed.

“E-filing is the best way to file, and it’s the most accurate,” he said. “You won’t miss a credit if you e-file, and if you use direct deposit, you’ll get your refund in 10 days or less.”

Valerie Hughes, a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service in St. Louis, said because of the decrease in the number of paper returns, all St. Louis-area post offices would maintain regular business hours on April 18. The only exception is the main post office at 1720 Market St., which will have workers stationed on the street picking up the returns so people don’t have to get out of their cars.

“We haven’t had extended hours at our local post offices the last couple of years because fewer people are mailing their returns, and the postal service is facing financial difficulties,” she said.

For more information on e-filing your returns with the IRS, click here.