Many People Have Been Asking "Why Don't We Have To File Our Tax Returns On April 15th This Year?"

Normally, the federal filling deadline falls on April 15, unless it happens to be on a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday.  The reason for this is because IRC Section 6072(a) imposes the deadline of April 15 for filing income tax returns. See also IRC Section 7503.

This year, however, there is a change in the tax deadline because the District of Columbia is observing *Emancipation Day*, an official government holiday that commemorates the day that President Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act.  This law supported "...the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia." It also freed 3,100 slaves in the District, making DC residents the "first freed" by the federal government.  In 2005, Emancipation Day became an official public holiday in the District of Columbia (D.C. Code § 28-2701). 

In Washington DC, we are honoring Emancipation Day, and local government offices will be closed and many public services will not operate on April 15, 2011. 

Because DC government offices will be closed on April 15, taxpayers have until April 18 to file our federal tax returns.  

By the way, taxpayers in the State of Minnesota taking extensions to October 15 will get an extra long extension this year. Since October 15 is on a Saturday, the extended tax deadline is pushed back to Monday, October 17, 2011.

 © 2011 Jeffrey R. Peterson - All Rights Reserved 

Jeffrey R. Peterson is President of Commercial Partners Exchange Company. His company is a facilitator of standard deferred 1031 exchanges, build-to-suit construction improvement exchanges, reverse exchanges and aircraft personal property exchanges. Mr. Peterson is an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law and a frequent speaker and CLE presenter throughout the Midwest for various business and professional organizations on numerous issues related to 1031 exchanges. 

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure:  To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to, and does not, constitute legal advice.