If you are one of those adrenalin-junkies who waits until the last minute to file your taxes, you’ll have a few more days to fill the rush this year – thanks to Emancipation Day. Observance of this low-profile federal holiday, which was created to commemorate the end of slavery, has extended the 2017 tax filing date to Tuesday, April 18.

Federal law dictates that the tax filing date cannot occur on a weekend day or federal holiday.

A legal holiday in the District of Columbia, Emancipation Day recognizes the signing of the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 which ended slavery in our nation’s capital. IRS offices are closed April 16 in observance of Emancipation Day. This year, however, Emancipation Day falls on a Sunday, which pushes the official observance to Monday, April 17. With Monday designated as a federal holiday, the tax filing deadline moves to Tuesday, April 18.

Filers may take advantage of this extended due date to gather their tax information. Please note the tax professionals at SJG do not recommend procrastinating filing until the last day, as unforeseen circumstances cannot be anticipated.