Emancipation Day: Why April 15, 2011 Falls on April 18th

This year (2011), the April 15^th income tax filing deadline will not fall on April 15^th.  Rather, because April 16^th is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, it will periodically have nationwide income tax filing consequences.  This year, Emancipation Day pushes the individual income tax filing deadline to Monday April 18^th.  See IRS Notice 2011-17 here.   

What is Emancipation Day?  Every holiday has a reason behind it, however, too often we simply take pleasure in the fact that the existence of the holiday somehow positively affects us without thinking about the reason for the holiday.  Emancipation Day celebrates the day in 1862 on which President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act to free over 3,000 slaves in the District of Columbia. 

Back to the tax impact: Because in 2011 the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is formally observed on the preceding Friday.  The preceding Friday is April 15^th.  When April 15^th falls on a holiday, the next day that is not a weekend or holiday becomes the individual income tax filing due date.  In 2011, this is Monday April 18^th.  As a result, all procrastinators will have that last weekend to take care of filing their returns.  

You can find out more about Emancipation Day at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Day

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/emancipation-day

But the coolest link is here with images of the original act and transcriptions thereof:  http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/dc_emancipation_act/

Happy President's Day!

My good friends' young son had unfortunately thought that it was "Presents Day."  I expect that he will not soon forget the lesson that this is the day on which we honor those who served our great nation as President.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

President Abraham Lincoln.

Not all states officially honor Abraham Lincoln's birthday.  In fact, many people simply lump President Lincoln's birthday together with that of George Washington and President's Day.  I believe, however, that the man who kept our great nation together as one deserves recognition of his own.  Happy Birthday President Lincoln!

Happy New Year.

Welcome to 2009!  As I look forward to the new year, I think of the many people gathering this morning to start the year with a brisk dip into the great lakes.  Whether a new member to the Polar Bear Club or a returning veteran, I hope it brings a fresh start to the new year; enjoy your morning.  To everyone, enjoy your year.

Veteran's Day

On November 11, 1918, an Armistice was signed bringing an official end to World War I. This Armistice Day concluded an unfortunate chapter in world history with peace. Sadly, the peace did not last. Following World War II, Armistice Day was renamed Veteran’s Day to honor all U.S. Veterans that have served in the Armed Forces.

It is on this day that we honor their service and have the opportunity to say thank you. So…Thank you.

*photo courtesy of Meghan Arnold - accidentalwisconsinite.blogspot.com