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Extra time to pay: Tax day is April 18 this year

Friday would normally be a day of dread for many Americans. But thanks to Emancipation Day, procrastinators have a few more days to file their taxes or request an extension this year.

Friday would normally be a day of dread for many Americans.

But thanks to Emancipation Day, procrastinators have a few more days to file their taxes or request an extension this year.

Taxes are normally due April 15. But this year's deadline is Monday, April 18, because of Emancipation Day, an official holiday in Washington, D.C., that marks the signing of the 1862 act that ended slavery in the city.

That holiday is typically celebrated on April 16. But this year, April 16 is a Saturday, which means it will be observed on Friday.

That means Friday is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, where the Internal Revenue Service is located.

And that pushes the tax deadline to the next business day, which is Monday.

(And due to another holiday - Patriots' Day - Massachusetts and Maine residents have yet another extra day. Their taxes are due Tuesday.)

So if you're scrambling to finish up your taxes, don't panic just yet: You have the weekend to do them.