Two Extra Days to File Income Taxes This Year
Adrian DePugh
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As the deadline for filing and paying income taxes in 2007 is fast approaching, many taxpayers are rushing to get their tax information in order. However, there is some relief for all those procrastinators out there, this year, you have two extra days to file and pay your taxes. 
Why the extra time this year? Well, taxpayers have extra time this year to file because April 15 falls on a Sunday and the following Monday, April 16, is Emancipation Day. Emancipation Day is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. That means the filing deadline this year is Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
The IRS explains the impact of holidays in the District of Columbia on the nation on their website "... holidays observed in the District of Columbia have an impact nationwide, not just in D.C." Even though Emancipation Day is not a federal holiday, it does not appear on the calendar, it still provides taxpayers an extra day to file and pay their income taxes. Even though some tax forms that have been mailed out may say the deadline is April 16, that is incorrect, it is April 17.
The same deadline rules still apply, even though the deadline comes two days later this year. All 1040's, 1040A's, 1040EZ's, income tax payments, requests for an automatic six month filing extension, and various business forms and payments are due April 17, 2007. Any tax forms or payments received or postmarked after April 17 will be considered late, and the taxpayer will have to pay interest and possible penalties. The IRS will still be open on April 16, so tax forms and payments can still be filed the day before the deadline.
Most taxpayers are under the impression that they will be penalized for filing their taxes after the deadline when they are claiming a refund, this is not true. The IRS gives taxpayers three years to claim a refund that is due to them. For instance, this is the last year to claim a refund for tax year 2003 (in 2007 we are filing for tax year 2006), and next year will be the last year to file for tax year 2004, and so on. However, those taxpayers that are unsure if they are receiving a refund should file their taxes by the deadline, just to be on the safe side.
Why the extra time this year? Well, taxpayers have extra time this year to file because April 15 falls on a Sunday and the following Monday, April 16, is Emancipation Day. Emancipation Day is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. That means the filing deadline this year is Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
The IRS explains the impact of holidays in the District of Columbia on the nation on their website "... holidays observed in the District of Columbia have an impact nationwide, not just in D.C." Even though Emancipation Day is not a federal holiday, it does not appear on the calendar, it still provides taxpayers an extra day to file and pay their income taxes. Even though some tax forms that have been mailed out may say the deadline is April 16, that is incorrect, it is April 17.
The same deadline rules still apply, even though the deadline comes two days later this year. All 1040's, 1040A's, 1040EZ's, income tax payments, requests for an automatic six month filing extension, and various business forms and payments are due April 17, 2007. Any tax forms or payments received or postmarked after April 17 will be considered late, and the taxpayer will have to pay interest and possible penalties. The IRS will still be open on April 16, so tax forms and payments can still be filed the day before the deadline.
Most taxpayers are under the impression that they will be penalized for filing their taxes after the deadline when they are claiming a refund, this is not true. The IRS gives taxpayers three years to claim a refund that is due to them. For instance, this is the last year to claim a refund for tax year 2003 (in 2007 we are filing for tax year 2006), and next year will be the last year to file for tax year 2004, and so on. However, those taxpayers that are unsure if they are receiving a refund should file their taxes by the deadline, just to be on the safe side.