Income Tax Deadline Fast Facts
CNN Editorial Research
(CNN) — Here’s a look at the annual income tax filing deadline in the United States. April 15, 2025, is the deadline to file 2024 income tax returns.
In fiscal year 2023, the IRS amassed more than $4.69 trillion in gross tax collections.
Where Do The Taxes Go?
(Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, FY 2024)
Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, marketplace subsidies 24%
Social Security 21%
National Defense 13%
Interest on debt 13%
Benefits for veterans & federal retirees 8%
Economic security programs 7%
Education 5%
Transportation 2%
Natural resources and agriculture 1%
Science and medical research 1%
Law enforcement 1%
International 1%
All other 5%
Timeline
1862 – During the Civil War, the IRS is born when President Abraham Lincoln and Congress create the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and enact an income tax to pay war expenses. The first income tax levies 3% on incomes between $600 and $10,000 and 5% on anything over $10,000. This income tax lasts until 1872.
1895 – The Supreme Court rules in Pollock v. Farmers’ Loan and Trust Co. that taxing incomes uniformly throughout the United States is unconstitutional.
1913 – The 16th Amendment is ratified by the states, giving Congress the authority to enact an income tax. Congress also introduces the first 1040 form and levies a 1% tax on personal incomes over $3,000 with 6% surtax on incomes of more than $500,000.
1954 – The tax filing deadline is moved from March 15 to April 15, to give taxpayers more time to prepare their returns.
January 3, 1996 – Congress enacts the Taxpayer Bill of Rights to ensure relief from overzealous collection efforts on the part of IRS personnel.
March 20, 2020 – Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin tweets that tax day is moving from April 15 to July 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
March 17, 2021 – The IRS announces the filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to May 17, to allow filers more time to navigate tax situations complicated by the coronavirus pandemic.
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