Over 100 fun facts about Tax Day for your enjoyment!
Tax Day in the United States is the day by which individual income tax returns are due to the federal government. It is usually on April 15th of each year, unless that day falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, in which case it is moved to the following business day.
On Tax Day, individual taxpayers are required to file their federal income tax returns for the previous calendar year, and pay any taxes owed to the government. Taxpayers who are unable to file their returns by the deadline may request an extension of time to file, which typically grants an additional six months to complete and submit the required forms.
Tax Day can be a stressful time for many people, as it often requires complex calculations and extensive record-keeping. However, it is also an important day for funding many of the government’s programs and services, and serves as a reminder of the civic responsibility of paying taxes.
To help you cope, we’ve created this list of 101 fun facts about Tax Day:
Table of Contents
Fun Facts About Tax Day – About Tax Day
The history of Easter is rooted in the Christian faith and is believed to date back to the 1st century. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was crucified and buried on Good Friday, and rose from the dead on the third day, which is now celebrated as Easter Sunday.
The exact origins of the name “Easter” are not clear. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word “ēastre,” which was the name of a pagan festival that celebrated the arrival of spring. This festival was associated with the goddess Ēostre or Ostara, who was the goddess of fertility and rebirth.
In the early Christian church, the celebration of Easter was tied to the Jewish holiday of Passover. As Christianity spread throughout the world, Easter became an important holiday in many cultures, and various customs and traditions developed around it.
One of the most enduring symbols of Easter is the Easter egg, which is believed to have its origins in pagan fertility rituals. Eggs were often used to symbolize new life and rebirth, and were later adopted by the Christian church as a symbol of the resurrection.
Over time, various other Easter-related traditions developed, such as the Easter bunny, which is believed to have its roots in German folklore. The Easter bunny was said to bring eggs and other treats to children on Easter Sunday, and has become a popular symbol of the holiday in many countries.
Today, Easter is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time of joy and renewal, and has also become associated with various secular customs and traditions.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – 101 Fun Facts
Here are 101 fun facts about Easter :
- Tax Day in the United States is typically on April 15th, but can be moved to a different date in certain circumstances.
- The deadline to file taxes can be extended for up to six months by filing an extension request with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Tax Day was first established in 1913 with the passage of the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which authorized Congress to levy an income tax.
- Prior to the establishment of Tax Day, taxpayers were required to estimate their tax liability and make quarterly payments throughout the year.
- The IRS receives over 150 million tax returns each year, which are processed at one of its several processing centers around the country.
- In 2020, Tax Day was extended to July 15th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the normal tax filing process.
- The average tax refund in 2020 was $2,707.
- In 1913, the top income tax rate was 7% on incomes above $500,000 (equivalent to over $12 million in 2021 dollars).
- The top income tax rate in 2021 is 37% on incomes above $523,600 for single filers and $628,300 for married couples filing jointly.
- The first income tax return in the United States was filed in 1914 by a man named Constantine Maguire, who was a high-ranking official in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (the predecessor to the IRS).
- In 2021, Tax Day falls on April 15th for most taxpayers, but residents of certain states have until a later date to file their taxes due to state holidays.
- Tax Day is also known as “National Income Tax Pay Day” or simply “Tax Day.”
- The IRS is the largest employer of accountants in the United States.
- The IRS estimates that the average taxpayer spends about 11 hours preparing their tax return.
- The IRS allows taxpayers to file their returns electronically, which can speed up the processing time and reduce errors.
- The IRS offers free tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
- The IRS also offers free tax preparation software to certain taxpayers through its Free File program.
- Taxpayers who owe money to the IRS can pay their taxes online, by phone, or by mailing a check or money order.
- The IRS can garnish wages or seize assets from taxpayers who do not pay their taxes.
- The IRS can also assess penalties and interest on late payments or non-payment of taxes.
- The IRS offers payment plans for taxpayers who are unable to pay their taxes in full.
- Taxpayers who earn income from sources other than traditional employment (such as self-employment income) are required to pay estimated taxes throughout the year.
- The tax code is subject to change each year, which can make filing taxes more complicated for taxpayers.
- Taxpayers can deduct certain expenses from their taxable income, such as mortgage interest, charitable donations, and certain business expenses.
- The tax code is over 70,000 pages long and contains many complex provisions and regulations.
- The IRS employs over 80,000 people, including agents, auditors, and support staff.
- The IRS was created in 1862 to collect taxes to fund the Civil War.
- The IRS was originally known as the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
- The IRS is a division of the Department of the Treasury.
- The IRS is responsible for enforcing tax laws and collecting taxes for the federal government.
- The first federal income tax was established in 1862 to finance the Civil War.
- The tax code has been revised over 5,000 times since its inception.
- In 1913, the 16th Amendment was ratified, which made it possible for the federal government to collect income tax.
- Tax Day is usually April 15th, but if that day falls on a weekend or a holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
- The first time Tax Day was moved from April 15th was in 1955, when it was moved to April 16th due to a local holiday in Washington, D.C.
- In 1954, Tax Day was moved to April 18th to avoid a conflict with Emancipation Day, which is celebrated in Washington, D.C. on April 16th.
- Emancipation Day commemorates the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, which freed over 3,000 slaves in Washington, D.C.
- The deadline to file taxes can be extended up to six months, but the deadline to pay any taxes owed is still April 15th.
- The IRS estimates that about 20% of taxpayers wait until the last two weeks before the deadline to file their taxes.
- The IRS collects about $3.5 trillion in taxes each year.
- The average American spends 13 hours preparing their tax return.
- Taxpayers who file their returns electronically receive their refunds much faster than those who file paper returns.
- The IRS processes over 150 million tax returns each year.
- About 70% of taxpayers receive a refund each year, with the average refund being about $3,000.
- The top 1% of taxpayers pay about 37% of all income taxes collected.
- The first tax return form was just two pages long, while the current form 1040 has 79 lines and six schedules.
- The first income tax rate was 3% on income over $800, and it applied to fewer than 1% of the population.
- The first electronic filing of tax returns took place in 1986, and the number of e-filed returns has been steadily increasing ever since.
- The first tax refund anticipation loan was made available in the 1980s, allowing taxpayers to receive their refunds more quickly in exchange for a fee.
- The average tax refund in 2020 was $2,741.
- The deadline to file taxes in 2021 was extended to May 17th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The tax code is over 70,000 pages long.
- The IRS has a tax volunteer program that provides free tax assistance to low-income, elderly, and disabled taxpayers.
- Tax fraud costs the government over $16 billion each year.
- The IRS has a list of the “dirty dozen” tax scams to watch out for each year.
- The term “tax” comes from the Latin word “taxare,” which means “to estimate.”
- The modern income tax was first introduced in Britain in 1799 to help fund the Napoleonic Wars.
- The first U.S. income tax was enacted during the Civil War in 1862 to help fund the war effort.
- The first Form 1040 was introduced in 1913, with only three pages of instructions.
- The IRS processes over 240 million tax returns annually.
- In 2019, the IRS collected over $3.5 trillion in federal taxes.
- The IRS can take up to 21 days to process a tax return and issue a refund.
- The deadline for filing taxes is usually April 15, but it can be extended to October 15 if you file for an extension.
- Taxpayers who owe money to the IRS can set up a payment plan to pay their taxes over time.
- The IRS can impose penalties and interest on taxpayers who fail to file or pay their taxes on time.
- Taxpayers who owe more than $50,000 to the IRS may have their passports revoked.
- The IRS has the power to seize a taxpayer’s assets, including bank accounts and property, to satisfy a tax debt.
- Taxpayers can file their taxes online using tax preparation software, such as TurboTax or H&R Block.
- The IRS provides free tax preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
- Taxpayers who earn less than $72,000 per year can use the IRS Free File program to file their taxes for free.
- The IRS has a Whistleblower Office that rewards individuals who provide information about tax evasion or fraud.
- The U.S. has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, but many companies use tax loopholes to reduce their tax liability.
- The U.S. tax code is over 70,000 pages long and is one of the most complex in the world.
- Tax Day is one of the busiest days of the year for post offices, as taxpayers rush to mail their returns before the deadline.
- In 2020, the IRS extended the tax filing deadline to July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Tax Day falls on different dates in some states, such as April 17 in Maine and Massachusetts.
- Some countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, also have a tax day in April.
- The term “taxation without representation” was a rallying cry for American colonists who opposed British taxes in the 18th century.
- The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxes on tea, which helped to spark the American Revolution.
- The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes and collect revenue for the federal government.
- The IRS is a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
- The IRS was established in 1862 as the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
- The first income tax in the U.S. was a 3% tax on incomes over $800.
- The U.S. has a progressive tax system, which means that the more you earn, the higher your tax rate.
- The IRS website, www.irs.gov, has a wealth of information and resources for taxpayers.
- Tax Day can be stressful for many people, but it’s important to remember that paying taxes helps fund important government programs and services.
- Tax Day is also an opportunity to review your finances and make a plan for the coming year.
- The IRS processes over 150 million individual tax returns each year.
- Over 80% of Americans now file their taxes electronically, either through tax software or with the help of a professional.
- In 1913, when the 16th Amendment was ratified, the highest tax bracket was 7% for income above $500,000.
- The deadline for filing income taxes was originally set at March 1st. It was later changed to April 15th in 1955.
- The American Jobs Plan proposed by President Biden includes increasing the corporate tax rate to 28%.
- The IRS has the power to garnish wages, seize property, and levy bank accounts for unpaid taxes.
- Taxes from cigarette sales fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides low-cost health insurance for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
- In 2019, the IRS audited 0.45% of all individual tax returns, or 765,000 returns.
- The first tax deduction for charitable donations was introduced in 1917.
- The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days after the taxpayer files their return electronically and chooses direct deposit.
- The United States is one of only a few countries in the world that taxes its citizens on worldwide income, regardless of where they live.
- In 2019, the total number of tax returns filed was 153.6 million, and the total amount of refunds issued was over $312 billion.
- The Internal Revenue Code, which governs federal tax law in the United States, is over 4 million words long.
- Some tax filers may be eligible for free tax preparation and filing assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is run by the IRS in partnership with community organizations.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – 10 Fun Facts for Kids
Here are ten fun facts about Tax Day that would be great for kids:
- Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, is often credited with inventing the concept of income tax.
- The first income tax was introduced in the United States during the Civil War to help pay for the war effort.
- The Form 1040 that most Americans use to file their taxes today was introduced in 1913.
- The IRS offers a special program called “Taxpayer Advocate Service” to help taxpayers resolve disputes with the IRS and other tax-related problems.
- The largest tax refund ever issued was for $10,210,000.
- Tax Day is always on April 15th, unless it falls on a weekend or a holiday, in which case it is moved to the next business day.
- Some people try to cheat on their taxes, but it is against the law and can result in fines, penalties, and even jail time.
- Filing your taxes can actually be a good thing because you might be eligible for a refund, which is money back from the government.
- When you pay taxes, you’re helping to support important government programs and services, like schools, roads, and public safety.
- There are people whose job it is to help others with their taxes, and they are called accountants or tax preparers.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Tax Day Legends
There aren’t any legends specifically about Tax Day, as it is a relatively modern observance that does not have any mythical or folkloric associations.
However, there are many stories and legends throughout history that relate to the concept of taxes and taxation.
For example, in medieval Europe, there were many tales of peasants and commoners rising up against their oppressors, including the tax collectors who were seen as representatives of the ruling class.
One famous example is the story of Robin Hood, an outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, and who was said to have had a particular vendetta against the Sheriff of Nottingham, who was responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the king.
In American history, there are also many stories and legends related to taxes, including the famous Boston Tea Party, in which colonists protested against British taxes by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.
In more recent times, there have been various protests and movements related to taxation and government spending, such as the Tea Party movement of the early 2010s.
While there may not be any specific legends or myths about Tax Day itself, the history of taxes and taxation is certainly full of interesting stories and folklore.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Tax Day Traditions
Tax Day is primarily a day for filing taxes and settling financial obligations with the government, rather than a day for celebration or traditional observances. However, some people do have certain habits or routines that they follow on Tax Day, such as:
- Getting together with an accountant or tax preparer to go over their taxes and make sure everything is in order.
- Filing their taxes online or by mail and then celebrating the completion of this annual task.
- Taking advantage of Tax Day freebies or deals that are sometimes offered by businesses as a way to help people cope with the stress of tax season.
- Reflecting on their financial situation and setting goals for the coming year, such as saving more money, reducing debt, or investing in their future.
While these are not necessarily formal or widely recognized traditions, they are common practices that many people engage in on or around Tax Day.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Tax Day Around the World
Tax Day differs around the world in a number of ways, including the date on which it occurs, the tax laws and regulations that apply, and the overall culture surrounding taxes and financial responsibility. Here are a few examples:
In Canada, Tax Day is April 30 for individuals, but corporations have until six months after the end of their fiscal year to file.
In the United Kingdom, Tax Day is on April 5, which marks the end of the tax year. Self-employed workers and those who earn over a certain amount of money must file a tax return by January 31 each year.
In Australia, Tax Day is June 30 for individuals, while businesses have until October 31 to file their returns.
In Japan, taxes are withheld from employees’ salaries throughout the year, so there is no specific Tax Day. Instead, individuals receive a tax statement in late February or early March that outlines their earnings and tax payments for the previous year.
In some countries, such as Sweden and Norway, the government sends out pre-filled tax returns to citizens, making the process of filing much simpler.
In the United States, Tax Day is typically on April 15th (although the date may vary slightly in some years). This is the deadline for individuals to file their federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to pay any taxes that are due.
The process of filing taxes in the US can be quite complex, as there are many different forms and schedules that may need to be filled out depending on an individual’s income, deductions, and other factors. Some people choose to hire tax professionals to help them with the process, while others may use tax preparation software or file their taxes themselves using paper forms.
One common US tax tradition is the use of tax refunds, which occur when an individual has paid more in taxes throughout the year than they actually owe. In this case, the government will send the individual a refund for the excess amount that they have paid. Some people look forward to receiving their tax refund each year and use it to make major purchases or pay off debts.
Overall, taxes are an important part of life in the United States, as they help to fund many of the government programs and services that people rely on. While Tax Day may not be as widely celebrated as other holidays, it is still an important deadline that affects many people’s lives.
These are just a few examples of the ways in which Tax Day differs around the world. The specific rules and regulations surrounding taxes can vary widely depending on the country, and the cultural attitudes towards taxes and financial responsibility can also be quite different.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Tax Day Riddles
Here is one fun fact about tax day:
Why did the accountant cross the road?
Answer: To get to the other tax bracket!
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Tax Day Symbols
There are no widely recognized symbols for Tax Day in the United States, but some people may associate the day with images of money, calculators, or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building.
Additionally, some tax preparation companies may use logos or symbols in their advertising or marketing campaigns to promote their services leading up to Tax Day. However, there is no universal symbol or emblem that is associated with the day.
Fun Facts About Tax Day – Determining the Date for Tax Day
In the United States, the date for Tax Day is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is typically on April 15th of each year, unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. If April 15th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
The deadline for filing taxes in the United States is set by law and is based on the tax year, which runs from January 1st to December 31st of the previous year. Taxpayers are required to file their federal income tax returns by the deadline, along with any taxes owed, or they may face penalties and interest charges. However, taxpayers who need more time to prepare their returns can request an extension of the filing deadline, which typically gives them an additional six months to file their taxes.
If a taxpayer fails to file their tax return by the deadline, they may be subject to penalties and interest charges. The penalties for late filing can be significant and can vary depending on the amount of time the return is late and the amount of taxes owed. For example, the penalty for filing late is typically 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that the return is late, up to a maximum of 25% of the unpaid taxes.
If a taxpayer is unable to pay the full amount of taxes owed by the filing deadline, they can still file their return and then work with the IRS to set up a payment plan or make other arrangements to pay the taxes owed over time. However, interest and penalties will continue to accrue on the unpaid balance until it is paid in full.
It’s important for taxpayers to file their returns on time or request an extension to avoid additional fees and penalties, as well as to ensure that they receive any refunds they may be owed.
Check out These Fun Facts for Other Days and Dates
February, March, April, Tax Day