Taxpayers have until midnight tonight to file their 2012 federal and state income taxes.

Although the deadline normally falls on April 15, it was extended because April 15 this year fell on a Sunday and yesterday, April 16, was Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia. Holidays in the District impact the tax deadline just the same as federal holidays do.

Although today's tax filing deadline is midnight, it's actually much earlier for those filing by mail, depending on when the Pleasanton postoffice closes.

The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to e-file as it is the best way to ensure accurate tax returns and get faster refunds.

The IRS expects to receive more than 144 million individual tax returns this year, with most of those being filed by today's deadline.

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