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Americans have three extra days to file their tax returns this year, as the deadline has been extended to April 18 instead of April 15. The original deadline was March 1, 1914, when the US federal individual income tax returns were first established. Over the years, the tax system has become increasingly complex, leading to several deadline extensions.
The tax return deadline for Americans has been postponed from April 15 to April 18 this year, allowing an additional three days to file.
Why Tax Day is in April
The US federal individual income tax was first introduced in 1913, and the original due date for individual income tax returns was set as March 1, 1914. However, only a few taxpayers were required to file because the filing threshold was set high.
In 1954, according to KGET, the tax system was revised, and a new deadline of April 15 was established. As the tax laws became more complex, taxpayers required more time to prepare and file their returns. The date was extended numerous times by Congress before finally deciding on April 15 as a fair deadline.
The vast majority of taxpayers were able to file their forms before the deadline today. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tax code has become even more complicated, resulting in a significant increase in the number of taxpayers requesting an extension to file.
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Tax Day 2023: Why the Deadline is April 18
This year, the deadline for filing tax returns is April 18 due to the observance of Emancipation Day on April 17 in Washington, D.C. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) occasionally pushes back the filing deadline for emergency situations, such as natural disasters, but these are typically local.
The IRS has urged taxpayers to use their extra preparation time wisely and file their returns by April 18. While most taxpayers can file their returns on time, those who require extra time to file should request an extension as soon as possible to avoid penalties and interest charges.
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