Income Tax Filing Deadline Extended Two Days This April

Once again this year, the Internal Revenue Service is giving taxpayers extra time to file their tax returns, thanks to Emancipation Day.

Last year, it was an extra weekend, this year, the IRS is extending the filing deadline two days, to Tuesday, April 17.

The IRS made the announcement this week on its website.

The deadline to file 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due is extended from April 15 to April 17 because April 15 falls on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls on Monday, April 16.

See related article: Emancipation Day 'Holiday' Is What?

The IRS stated in a press release that federal law requires District of Columbia holidays to impact tax deadlines the same as federal holidays do, so taxpayers get the two-day extension.

More than 144 million individual tax returns are expected this year, with most of those being filed by April 17, according to the IRS.

The IRS will accept e-file and Free File returns beginning Jan. 17, according to the website.

The IRS said taxpayers requesting an extension, would have until Oct. 15 to file the tax returns.

According to the IRS, taxpayers will have new tools this year to help with filing, including navigation features and an interactive video to help with tax issues.