Last Chance: Tax Returns Due April 17

Hundreds of events are posted on Melrose Patch each week, but how often does one pass you by that you wish you hadn't missed? Each week Melrose Patch will give you a quick reminder about an event, an important sign-up, or a looming deadline you won't want to forget.

Have you filed your tax returns yet? If not, don't worry—you have an extra two days this year.

Taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 17, to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due, according to the IRS, because April 15 falls on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Monday, April 16.

According to federal 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.

Even if you can't file by April 17, you can use Free File on the IRS website to request an extension and have until Oct. 15 to file.

The IRS has YouTube videos that offer tips and help for last-minute filers (including the video attached to this article).

Do you know of an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the comments below and we’ll consider including it in our next "Last Chance." You can also:

• Post your own events and announcements.
• Contact us at danield@patch.com.