Just one more month people; then taxes will be due. I know what you are thinking, I'm a few days behind. Today is the 17th. Not to worry! The tax filing deadline has been pushed back to April 18th this year due to Emancipation Day. What is that? Good question. An even better question is why are we moving TAX DAY in the name of it?!
Emancipation Day is April 16th. Back in 1862, President Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act for the releaes of slaves in the District of Columbia. The Act freed about 3100 slaves in D.C. nine months before President Lincoln issued his famous Emanicpation Proclamation. The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act is the only known example of compensation by the federal government to former owners of emancipated slaves.
In 2005 it was made a district public holiday by the Mayor. Now every year there are various activities held to celebrate the freedom on the slaves. Apparently there used to be a celebration yearly from 1866 to 1901. This tradition resumed in 2002. (Only took a 100 years; makes you wonder why they stopped it?)
Then the IRS decided to join in on the celebration. In 2007 it was decided that the filing deadline would be pushed back until after the celebration. (Probably because so many people in the nation attend and that makes it unable for them file their taxes in a timely manner). Unfortunately, someone forgot to notify the printer and all the 2006 forms had the wrong filing date.
So now, whenever the 15th falls on a weekend, the filing deadline is pushed back. And if it falls on Emancipation Day it goes back ever farther. Just a little FYI for all your procrastinators out there. For those of us who are counting down to April 15th......looks like we are going to have to work a few more days! =)
2 comments:
Interesting! Loved reading that. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the rest of the big tax season!
thanks for the heads-up
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