It looks like we’ll be getting an extra two days to file our taxes this year, since the 2012 tax filing deadline will be April 17th. That’s because April 15 falls on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls on Monday, April 16. According to federal law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do, so everyone will have those two extra days to file.

Taxpayers who are will be requesting a tax filing extension will have until October 15 to file their 2012 tax returns.

For those who are going to use e-file and Free File, the IRS will begin accepting e-file and Free File returns on Jan. 17, 2012. According to the IRS, more details about e-file and Free File will be announced later this month. IRS Free File provides options for free brand-name tax software or online fillable forms plus free electronic filing. Everyone can use Free File to prepare a federal tax return. Taxpayers who make $57,000 or less are able to choose from approximately 20 commercial software providers. There’s no income limit for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which also includes free e-filing.

More than 144 million individual tax returns are anticipated by the IRS this year.

If you have any questions about filing your taxes, consult the IRS website (www.irs.gov) or contact a tax professional.

Daniel Stoica Accounting Professional