Tax Day Countdown
Federal income-tax returns are due April 15 (when the 15th lands on a weekend or a D.C. holiday, the deadline slides to the next business day). This countdown targets the next April 15 — file early and it's someone else's problem.
How many days until Tax Day?
Tax Day is on Thursday, April 15, 2027, which is 278 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Why April 15?
The modern income tax arrived with the 16th Amendment in 1913, with a March 1 deadline. It moved to March 15 in 1918, then to April 15 in 1955 — officially to spread out the IRS's workload. It's been the most dreaded date on the calendar ever since.
Need more time?
Filing Form 4868 by Tax Day gets you an automatic extension to mid-October — but it's an extension to file, not to pay. Interest runs on unpaid balances from April 15 regardless. When the 15th falls on a weekend or Emancipation Day (a D.C. holiday), everyone gets a day or two of grace automatically.
Quick facts
- Federal returns are due April 15 (or the next business day)
- The income tax dates to the 16th Amendment in 1913
- The deadline moved from March 15 to April 15 in 1955
- An extension moves filing to October — but payment is still due in April
Tax Day — frequently asked questions
When is Tax Day?
Tax Day is on Thursday, April 15, 2027.
How many days until Tax Day?
Tax Day is on Thursday, April 15, 2027, which is 278 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Fact-checked & updated July 2026 · alarm-clock.org