History of Tax Day in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2026

Tax Day in the United States is the deadline for individual income tax returns to be submitted to the federal government. Since 1955, this date has generally been on or shortly after April 15. Tax Day originated in 1913 with the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment, which allowed the federal government to collect income tax.

1913: Tax Day Introduced

In 1913, Tax Day was first introduced in the United States, coinciding with the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment.

1913: Sixteenth Amendment Ratified

In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting Congress the authority to tax all incomes without apportionment.

1913: First Year of Federal Income Tax

In 1913, which marked the first year of federal income tax in the United States, the filing deadline for individuals was March 1.

1918: Filing Deadline Changed

In 1918, the filing deadline for individual income tax returns was changed to March 15.

1955: Filing Deadline Changed to April 15

In 1955, the filing deadline for individual income tax returns was changed to April 15, where it remains today unless it conflicts with a weekend or holiday.

1955: Tax Day Typically Falls on or After April 15

Since 1955, Tax Day in the United States has typically fallen on or just after April 15.

2007: Storm and Flooding Affected East Coast

In 2007, a powerful storm and flooding affected the East Coast, leading to certain states being granted additional time to file their taxes, with some deadlines extended to as late as June 25.

2011: Tax Day Fell on Patriots' Day

In 2011, Tax Day fell on Patriots' Day, but the federal filings were directed to Hartford, Connecticut, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Kansas City, Missouri, so there was no extension for Maine, Massachusetts, or other surrounding states' residents.

2015: Tax Day Fell on Patriots' Day

In 2015, Tax Day fell on Patriots' Day, but the federal filings were directed to Hartford, Connecticut, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Kansas City, Missouri, so there was no extension for Maine, Massachusetts, or other surrounding states' residents.

2019: Patriots' Day observed on the tax filing deadline

In 2019, Patriots' Day was observed on the tax filing deadline, and residents of Maine and Massachusetts were given extra time to file because post offices in those states would be closed on the normal deadline.

2020: Filing Deadline Extended Due to Pandemic

In 2020, due to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the filing deadline for tax returns was extended to July 15.

May 17, 2021: Tax Deadline Moved Due to COVID-19 Relief Package

In 2021, the tax deadline was moved from April 15 to May 17, 2021, due to tax code changes resulting from the COVID-19 relief package.

2021: Patriots' Day observed on the tax filing deadline

In 2021, Patriots' Day was observed on the tax filing deadline, and residents of Maine and Massachusetts were given extra time to file because post offices in those states would be closed on the normal deadline.

2023: California Filing Deadline Extended

In 2023, natural disasters over the winter prompted the IRS to extend California's filing deadline to October 16, and later, certain California counties were granted additional relief to November 16.