D.C.'s Emancipation Holiday Moves Tax Day

Here's some good news for procrastinating federal income tax filers. This year's filing deadline is April 18 due to the celebration of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia on Friday the 15th. The IRS explains that the normal deadline is April 15 except when that date is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. "Legal holiday" includes holidays in the District of Columbia. Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Emancipation Act, which in 1862 freed those held as slaves within D.C. (while also providing compensation to slave owners). The holiday is usually on April 16. However, D.C. law provides that when April 16 is a Saturday, the previous Friday is the official holiday. Emancipation Day has been an official holiday in D.C. only since 2005. In 2007, the holiday had a similar effect on the tax-filing deadline.