Why April 15th? The Surprising History of the Tax Deadline
No one likes Tax Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2026), but have you ever wondered why we use this specific date? It hasn’t always been mid-April. In fact, the history of the American income tax is a story of war, constitutional amendments, and administrative headaches.
- The March 1st Origins
When the 16th Amendment (which allowed the government to collect income tax) was ratified in 1913, the deadline was set for March 1st. Congress later moved it to March 15th in 1918 to give people more time to figure out the complicated new forms.
- The 1955 Shift
In 1955, the deadline was moved one final time to April 15th. The IRS claimed this was to “spread out the workload” for their employees, but economists argue it was also a way for the government to hold onto tax money just a little bit longer before issuing refunds!
- Bizarre Deductions
Over the years, people have tried to deduct some incredible things, including:
- A Private Plane: A person tried to deduct their plane as a “business expense” because they liked to fly to meetings (The IRS said no).
- Cat Food: A junkyard owner tried to deduct cat food because the cats kept the rats away from the scrap metal (The IRS actually said yes to this one!).
As you sign your return this Wednesday, take comfort in the fact that you’re part of a long (and sometimes very strange) American tradition.