Tax Filing Deadline Extended Three Days To April 18, 2011
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - Taxpayers get an extra three days to file their federal tax returns this year, and they can thank the nation's capital for the extra time.
WCBS 880's Monica Miller With Advice From Melissa Labant Of The American Institute Of CPAs
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The filing deadline is delayed until midnight Monday, April 18, because the District of Columbia will observe Emancipation Day Friday. By law, local holidays in the nation's capital affect tax deadlines the same way federal holidays would. States generally follow the federal deadline.
Emancipation Day marks the occasion when President Abraham Lincoln signed a law ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Lincoln signed it April 16, 1862, more than eight months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which eventually led to all slaves being freed.
April 16 falls on Saturday this year, so the holiday is being observed April 15, the traditional tax filing deadline.
Melissa Labant from the American Institute of CPAs says double checking the final paperwork could say taxpayers a lot of time and aggravation in the future.
"Double check your calculations. Make sure your tax return is signed. That's a frequent thing that individuals overlook, and attach your W-2s," Labant tells WCBS 880 reporter Monica Miller.
Labant says if you're cutting it down to the wire Monday, avoid the long lines at the post office and file returns online.
Have you filed your taxes, or are you waiting until the last minute? Let us know below!
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