Reasons Tax Day will be moved to a different date
There are several reasons why the tax deadline might not be on April 15 in a certain tax year:
- April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
- April 15 falls on a recognized holiday, including Washington, D.C.’s Emancipation Day.
- A federally declared disaster affects your area.
As the federal tax return due date approaches, double-check the deadline for the current tax year on the IRS website.
What time your return is due on Tax Day
If you e-file, your return needs to be transmitted by midnight in your local time zone on Tax Day. If you mail a paper return, the IRS considers it on time as long as it’s postmarked by the due date—even if it arrives at the IRS days later.
Why Tax Day is usually April 15
Tax Day has landed on or near April 15 since 1955, when Congress moved the filing deadline from March 15 to give the IRS more time to process returns as the tax code grew more complex. The date has stuck ever since.
Tax Day vs. the extension deadline
Tax Day is also the deadline to request a federal filing extension. Filing Form 4868 by Tax Day moves your filing deadline to October 15. Please note that an extension to file doesn’t extend the deadline to pay any tax owed by the original tax date—if you believe you may owe, it’s best to pay an estimate of what you expect to owe by Tax Day.
What to do if you’re not ready to file by Tax Day
If you’re not ready to submit your return, getting an extension is fairly straightforward:
- File Form 4868 for an automatic six-month extension.
- Pay an estimate of what you owe by Tax Day to avoid penalties and interest.
- Finish and file your full return by the extended deadline.
