The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2012 tax filing season by announcing that taxpayers have until April 17 to file their tax returns. According to the announcement, taxpayers will have until Tuesday, April 17 to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due because April 15, 2012 is a Sunday and April 16, 2012 falls on Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia. By law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have two extra days to file this year. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until October 15 to file their 2011 tax returns.
In addition, the IRS reminded taxpayers impacted by recent tax law changes that using e-file is the best way to ensure accurate tax returns and get faster refunds.