Uncle Sam gives income tax filers three-day extension

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The IRS wants people to know they will get a little more time to file their income tax returns this year.

The filing deadline will be extended from the usual midnight April 15 deadline to midnight April 18 to file a timely, accurate and complete federal income tax return.

That’s because Washington, D.C., observes Emancipation Day as an annual legal holiday on April 16. Because April 16 is a Saturday this year, the holiday will be observed April 15.

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in Washington, D.C., nine months before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all slaves in this country.

Any tax return postmarked on April 18 or e-filed at or before 11:59 p.m. that day will be considered on time.

Last-minute filers using the U.S. Postal Service must make sure to affix sufficient postage because the IRS doesn’t pay postage due, and forms with insufficient postage will be returned to sender and considered late, said Jennifer Jenkins, IRS media relations specialist for Ohio.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.