Tax Day: The Good, The Bad, The Free
- Davian Rhodes, CPA
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
D. Rhodes, CPA, Writer and Editor
9 Free Tax Day Deals: The Unexpected Perks of April 15
Perhaps the most surprising development in Tax Day culture is how it has evolved into a promotional opportunity for businesses. Several national chains offer Tax Day freebies and discounts to ease the pain of paying Uncle Sam:
🍩 1. Krispy Kreme
Deal: Buy any dozen doughnuts and get a second Original Glazed dozen for just the sales tax. Use code TAXBREAK for a free second dozen with delivery or pickup orders.
📦 2. 7-Eleven – Delivery Discount
Deal: $10.40 off orders of $20 or more.
🧊 3. Kona Ice – “Chill Out Day”
Deal: Free shaved ice from participating trucks.
🛍️ 4. Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event
Offer: Recycle an old car seat and receive a 20% off coupon toward a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear.
🍝 5. Olive Garden
Deal: Buy one entrée ($14.99+) and take another home for free.
🌯 6. California Tortilla
Deal: Free small chips and queso with any purchase. Say "1040" in-store or use code 1040 online.
🍔 7. Shake Shack
Deal: Free Black Truffle Burger, 'Shroom, or Parmesan Fries with a $10.40+ order. Use code TRUFFLETAX online or in-app through April 27.
🍗 8. Sonny’s BBQ
Deal: St. Louis Rib Dinner for $10.99.
🍪 9. Great American Cookies
Deal: Buy one Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Slice, get one free.
The Curious History of Tax Day: Why April 15th?
Tax Day has officially arrived. For millions of Americans, this date looms large on the calendar each year, often accompanied by a mix of anxiety, last-minute filing, and the relief that comes after hitting "submit" on that electronic return. But why April 15th? And what makes this particular Tax Day different for many Americans?
Tax Day wasn't always in April. In fact, when the 16th Amendment established the federal income tax in 1913, the original filing deadline was set for March 1st. Imagine having to file a month earlier than we do now!
The date shifted to March 15th in 1918, where it remained for decades. It wasn't until 1955 that the IRS pushed the deadline to April 15th, giving both taxpayers and the government an additional month to prepare and process returns.
Why the change? Several theories exist:
The growing complexity of the tax code meant Americans needed more time to prepare their returns
The IRS needed more processing time as the number of taxpayers grew substantially after World War II
A more cynical theory suggests the government wanted to hold onto taxpayer money a bit longer before issuing refunds
Whatever the reason, April 15th has been ingrained in America's collective consciousness for nearly 70 years now. Unless, of course, it falls on a weekend or holiday, when it gets pushed to the next business day – a small reprieve that occasionally brings joy to last-minute filers.
April 15th Isn't Everyone's Deadline
While most Americans face today's deadline, a significant number of taxpayers have been granted extensions this year. Following the devastating hurricanes and other disasters of 2024, the IRS issued Notice IR-2025-41 on April 4th, confirming extended deadlines for affected regions.
If you're in one of the following areas, your deadline is extended to May 1, 2025:
The entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
The City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska
Chaves County, New Mexico
Specific counties in Tennessee and Virginia (including Carter, Claiborne, Cocke counties in TN and Albemarle, Appomattox, Bedford counties in VA, among others)
Other disaster areas have even later deadlines:
Los Angeles County, California (January wildfires): October 15, 2025
All of Kentucky and certain West Virginia counties: November 3, 2025
Those affected by terrorist attacks in Israel, Gaza, or the West Bank: September 30, 2025
This relief is automatic for those with an address of record in these areas – no need to file for an extension or contact the IRS to receive this benefit.
Tax Day by the Numbers: Fascinating Statistics
The scale of Tax Day is truly staggering:
The IRS expects to process over 168 million individual tax returns in 2025
Approximately 40% of Americans wait until the last two weeks before the deadline to file
The average refund in 2024 was around $3,100
The IRS employs over 75,000 people to handle the tax season rush
The agency's computer systems process approximately 1.5 billion transactions during tax season
Americans collectively spend about 6.5 billion hours preparing and filing their taxes each year
Looking Beyond Today: Smart Post-Tax Day Moves
Whether you've already filed or are rushing to meet today's deadline, consider these smart financial moves after Tax Day:
Adjust your withholding if you received a very large refund or owed a significant amount
Organize your tax documents now while everything is fresh in your mind
Review your retirement contributions and consider increasing them for the current tax year
Start tracking deductible expenses for next year in a dedicated app or spreadsheet
Consider meeting with a financial planner to identify tax-saving strategies for 2025
Tax Day may never be a genuine cause for celebration, but understanding its history, knowing about available extensions and even taking advantage of those free doughnuts and cookies can make it a little less daunting.
For those who have already filed, congratulations on completing another tax season. For last-minute filers, take a deep breath – you still have time and reach out to us and download our app if you need assistance.
And if you're in one of the disaster-affected areas with an extended deadline, use this additional time wisely to ensure you maximize any available deductions and credits.
Remember: Our ultimate goal is to help you save time and money, while building wealth and legacy.
The choice is yours, but the clock is ticking. Reach out today so we can help get you from where you're at, to where you want to be.
*This article provides general information, not individual tax advice. Tax situations vary; consult with a qualified tax professional, like myself, for advice specific to your circumstances.