Good news if you are one of those that procrastinate doing your taxes. Even though there is a saying, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”, Tax Day isn't so certain in 2016. Procrastinators usually circle the date April 15 on their calendar, reminding them to get their taxes completed. But this year, Tax Day has been delayed - and we can thank Washington D.C. for that.

According to the U.S. Tax Center, the extra time to get taxes filed doesn't come because the IRS just wanted to be generous. There is a reason for the tax filing day extension, and it's actually kind of interesting.

The reason for the extra filing time is because of a federal holiday that is recognized in Washington D.C. called Emancipation Day.

Even though slavery was abolished in the United States in December of 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment, it actually occurred in Washington D.C. earlier than that. On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, freeing slaves in the District of Columbia, forever making April 16 a legal holiday in Washington D.C. And because Emancipation Day is considered a legal holiday, employees in government offices and other public services do not work that day.

However, if April 16 falls on a weekend (which it falls on a Saturday in 2016), Emancipation Day is then recognized on the closest work day (in 2016, that would be the Friday BEFORE - April 15, 2016) allowing workers to have the day off.

So, because Emancipation Day is considered a legal, non-working holiday in Washington D.C. it takes priority over the tax deadline date, thus causing the deadline to be moved to the next working day, which in 2016, is Monday, April 18.

Does all of this sound a bit confusing? If so, just be thankful you don't live in Maine or Massachusetts! They also get an additional day, extending their tax filing deadline to Tuesday, April 19, 2016 because of the legal holiday in those states known as Patriots' Day, with a catch though. Because those residents send their completed tax forms to a state that doesn't recognize Patriots' Day, they will be expected to have at least a portion of their tax forms turned in by Monday, April 18.

Have you already filed your tax return and want to check the status of your refund? With just a few clicks, you can find out where your money is. 

Source: Woodtv


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