Here's Why You Have Until April 18 to File Your Taxes This Year

Traditionally, April 15 is circled on our calendars in red marker, as a reminder (or stern warning) to file our taxes by that date, Tax Day. This year, however, we have a few extra days to get this typically onerous task done. Here's the scoop:

  • The filing deadline for taxes is Tuesday April 18, 2017.
  • April 15 falls on a Saturday this year, which would ordinarily move the filing date to the following Monday, April 17, except that that date is a legal holiday (observed) in Washington DC, called Emancipation Day, so the tax filing deadline is pushed to Tuesday, April 18. According to the IRS, "[u]nder the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation."

While this might sound like a relief, it's still wise to have all your necessary documents in order early and get ready to file sooner rather than later (and don't forget: you can file your taxes for free). If nothing else, it's worth it for the peace of mind.