IRS Tax Deadline Approaching: When To File, How To Get Extension

The deadline to file your taxes for 2017 is coming up and while there's still about two weeks left, you probably don't want to wait too long to settle up with the IRS. This year, April 15 is a Sunday so the deadline to file your taxes is April 17, giving taxpayers two extra days.

While April 15 is a Sunday, the deadline to file tax returns was bumped up two days to April 17 because April 16, a Monday, is Emancipation Day, which is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Unlike other state or local holidays that might push the filing date up in one specific state, legal holidays in D.C. affect the filing deadline across the country, according to the IRS.

The IRS says filing taxes electronically and choosing direct deposits for refunds is the fastest and safest way to file tax returns and receive a refund. The IRS expects four out of five tax returns to be prepared electronically.

Nine out of 10 taxpayers can expect to get their tax refunds in less than 21 days, but the IRS said returns claiming the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit would be issued at the earliest starting Feb. 27.

If you need more time to prepare your taxes, you can apply for an extension but you must apply for that extension by April 17. If you file for an extension, your tax return will be due Oct. 15. You can find more information on applying for an extension here.

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