The federal deadline to file taxes is Monday. Taxes are due April 18 this year due to a holiday in Washington D.C. While slavery was not formally abolished in the United States until 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified, it occurred in the District of Columbia much earlier. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, freeing thousands of slaves living in the district. Now a legal holiday in Washington, government offices and other public services do not operate on Emancipation Day, usually celebrated April 16. However, if April 16 falls on a weekend, as it does this year, it is celebrated on the closest weekday. So this year, Emancipation Day moves to April 15, Tax Day, and federal employees in Washington D.C. won’t be working.

Bob Preston with H&R Block in Washington and Sigourney says if your tax documents aren’t complete on the 18th, be sure to file an extension to avoid penalties.