Tax Day 2011: April 18 Due to Emancipation Day

When Are Taxes Due in 2011? Tax Day on April 18 Due to Emancipation Day

For those of you who haven't filed your US taxes yet, taxes are due on April 18, 2011. This means they must be e-filed or postmarked by April 18. Wait, what? Not April 15?

The day on which taxes are due in 2011 has been moved, and not because of the budget crisis. Emancipation Day, a public holiday celebrating the liberation of African slaves, is observed on April 16 in Washington, D.C. Since April 16 falls on a Saturday, Emancipation Day is observed on April 15, and the due date for taxes cannot legally fall on a weekend or holiday... so you get an extra three days. 

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This means that you will do your taxes on Sunday night or Monday morning, just making the postmark deadline.

Emancipation Day in the US

Emancipation Day is observed throughout the former British colonies, but not throughout the US. Only a few states and cities observe Emancipation Day.

Florida observes emancipation on May 20, though it's not an official holiday. Civil War reenactors act out the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee.

In Columbus, Mississippi, Emancipation Day is celebrated on May 8, commemorating the date in 1865 when African Americans in eastern Mississippi learned of their freedom.In Texas, Emancipation Day is celebrated on June 19 (Juneteenth). It commemorates the the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865.