News In Brief

Taxes: April 15 income tax filing deadline extended

Jaclyn Giovis Jan 5, 2011

Uncle Sam is cutting taxpayers a break this year. We still have to pay the man, but we’ll get an extra three days to file our returns.

Thank the nation’s capital. The filing deadline is pushed back because the District of Columbia will observe Emancipation Day on Friday, April 15. By law, local holidays in D.C. affect tax deadlines the same way federal holidays would, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Emancipation Day marks the day President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a bill ending slavery in the nation’s capital. Lincoln signed the bill on April 16, 1862, more than eight months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery.

Taxpayers will have until midnight Monday, April 18, to file their 2010 returns. Those requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file their returns.

More time to prepare, or more time to procrastinate?

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