Good News For Those Who Haven't Filed Their Taxes Yet

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – There's good news for those who have waited to do their taxes. This year everyone has three days left to file them.

It's because of an annual holiday celebrated in Washington, DC. Marching bands and parades are part of the celebration of Emancipation day every April 16th in Washington, DC.

On that day in 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the act freeing more than 3,000 slaves in the district.

The D.C. government shuts down on the holiday but this year it falls on a Saturday so it will be observed on April 15th - tax day - and that changes the tax filing deadline for everyone across the country to April 18th.

It's music to the ears of tax filers like Brahmy Poologasingham who's letting Block Advisors do her taxes this year.

"I mean I think it's great for procrastinators like myself…having three extra days is always a bonus," said Poologasingham.

Sharahn Thomas was also glad to hear about the extra time.

"For those who are under the gun, those few extra days can mean a lot," said Thomas.

It's estimated 1 in 3 Americans wait until April to file their taxes. This year's extra time is good news for not only tax payers but accountants as well.

Sheillia Banks with Block Advisors advises people to use the extra time wisely.

"Don't wait - come on in - we are here," said Banks.

Thousands of tax preparers are open around the clock this time of year.

Some are even available until midnight on April 18th - for those who wait until the last minute.

People in Maine and Massachusetts have even longer.  They don't have to file until April 19th because Patriots Day, a holiday celebrated in New England, falls on Monday.