2011 Tax Return Deadline is April 18

U.S. residents have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2010 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax returns, three days later than the traditional April 15 deadline, because April 15 is Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C.

The IRS expects to receive roughly 141 million consumer filings this year, most ahead of the April 18 deadline.

If consumers cannot make the deadline, they may request an extension, due on Oct. 17, however, monies owed to IRS must still be paid in April, if they don’t want to owe the IRS interest. Tax filers can get an automatic six-month extension by filing IRS Form 4868 by April 18, and no reason needs to be cited.

U.S. citizens or residents currently living outside of the United States get an automatic two-month extension without filing an extension request. Tardiness to filing tax returns could carry fees, penalties, and interest, however, the penalties can be waived if a proper reason is given.