Tax Day 2018, falling on April 17, marked a significant date for U.S. consumers seeking relief from the annual filing stress. Across the nation, numerous brands and businesses rolled out promotional offers, freebies, and discounts to acknowledge the efforts of taxpayers. These promotions spanned various categories, including food and beverage, travel, and household services, providing a wide array of options for individuals and families looking to save money or enjoy a complimentary treat.
The availability of these offers varied by location and participating franchises, with many deals requiring specific actions such as purchasing a companion item, presenting a coupon, or visiting a physical store. Understanding the terms and conditions of each promotion was essential for consumers to maximize their benefits.
Food and Drink Promotions
A significant portion of Tax Day 2018 promotions focused on the food and beverage sector, offering everything from free cookies to discounted meals. These deals were designed to provide a sweet or savory break from tax-related anxieties.
Cookie and Dessert Offers
Great American Cookie Company continued its annual Tax Day tradition by offering a free Cookies & Cream cookie to customers who visited participating stores on April 17. According to the company's Executive Vice President, David Kaiser, this initiative was intended to help everyone "take a delicious bite out of Tax Day stress." The offer was limited to one per customer, while supplies lasted.
Casual Dining and Fast Food Deals
Several fast-food and casual dining chains provided incentives for Tax Day 2018. Firehouse Subs invited guests to receive a free medium sub with the purchase of a full-price medium or large sub, chips, and a drink. This promotion was valid from Tuesday, April 17, through Thursday, April 19, 2018.
McDonald's offered a free small McCafe, while Sonic provided half-price cheeseburgers all day. Beef O'Bradys extended a 15% discount on meals. Boston Market presented a specific meal deal for $10.40, which included a half chicken individual meal with two sides, a regular drink, cornbread, and a cookie. Hardees provided a free Sausage Biscuit from 7 to 10 AM on April 15, 2019, requiring customers to say "Made From Scratch" when ordering. Schlotzsky’s offered a free Original Sandwich with the purchase of chips and a drink.
Beverage and Pizza Deals
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria offered a Traditional Cheese pizza for only $10.40 on April 17, providing a way to relieve filing stress. Pizzahut ran a "P-2 Pizza Return" contest where participants could potentially win free Pizza Hut gift cards, although the entry process was described as requiring participants to "jump through their hoops."
For beverage enthusiasts, BLT Restaurants' Tavern62 by David Burke on New York City’s Upper East Side served all alcoholic beverages at half price on April 17. Blue Point Brewing Co. introduced a new Tax Day IPA (8.0% ABV) to make the day one of cheer and relaxation. W New York Downtown offered a limited-time cocktail menu for the week of April 16-21, featuring drinks like "Uncle Sam Took All My $$" ($7 beers), "Wait, It's Tax Day - I Need an Extension" ($10 cocktails), and "Uncle Sam Owes Me - Let it Rain" (discounted bottle service). The Wayfarer also offered a Tax Day deal from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Delivery and Shaved Ice Offers
Bite Squad, an online and mobile food delivery service, offered a 7.5% discount on delivery orders on April 17. Customers could use the promotional code "TAXDAY18" to redeem this one-day deal. Kona Ice participated in the National "Chill Out" Day on Tax Day, offering a free shaved ice.
Travel and Accommodation Deals
Tax Day 2018 also brought opportunities for travel and relaxation, with several hotels and resorts offering special packages and discounts to help consumers unwind after filing their taxes.
Hotel Packages and Discounts
Arlo Hotels launched a "Relax Post-Tax" offer from April 15-20, providing guests with a 14.75% discount on best available rates (representing the New York City tax) and an additional $3.50 off for the occupancy tax. This rate was applicable for stays through Labor Day at Arlo SoHo and Arlo NoMad.
Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast offered to cover all lodging taxes for guests who stayed one night between April 16-19, 2018. Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance, and guests could schedule a massage at the inn’s spa room.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, provided a special where booking one night allowed the second night to be booked for just $25. This offer needed to be booked by April 20, 2018, and was valid for stays between April 17 and December 22, 2018.
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills presented the "Taxation Staycation Package," which included Tax-Free Suite Accommodations, a luxury private poolside cabana with a bottle of champagne, complimentary valet parking, and complimentary high-speed WiFi.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago offered a $1,040 deal for a night’s accommodations in the Gold Coast Corner Suite, an in-room massage, and a bottle of sparkling wine. This offer required the code TAXDAY, was bookable on April 17 only, and valid for stays from April 17 to May 30.
Conrad Chicago offered a promotion requiring booking on Tax Day, April 17, 2018, for 24 hours only, with stays valid from April 19 through August 31, 2018.
Household and Office Services
For consumers looking to manage their paperwork and personal care, Tax Day 2018 included offers for shredding services and relaxation treatments.
Shredding Services
Office Depot and OfficeMax provided free shredding services at all retail stores from March 18 to April 28. Customers could bring up to five pounds of documents to shred free of charge. To redeem the offer, customers needed to print a coupon available online or show the coupon to a retail store associate via their mobile device. Staples also offered a coupon for free 5 lbs. of shredding through April 15, though availability was noted as uncertain at the time of the report.
Personal Care Offers
Zeel, the original massage delivery app, offered customers $20 off a first in-home massage using the code TAXDAY2018, providing a way to relax after filing taxes.
Important Considerations for Consumers
Consumers were advised to exercise caution and verify details before visiting participating locations. Many offers were based on information provided by companies and their representatives, as well as social media. Franchise locations may have different promotions or may not participate at all. It was recommended to call local stores to confirm participation and to check for any required coupons, Facebook "likes," or specific phrases to use when ordering.
Conclusion
Tax Day 2018 offered a diverse range of freebies and deals across food, travel, and household services. From free cookies and discounted pizzas to hotel stays and shredding services, brands provided various ways for consumers to alleviate the stress of tax season. While many of these offers were specific to 2018, they illustrate the common types of promotions that often accompany Tax Day in subsequent years. Consumers should always verify current offers directly with brands for the most accurate and up-to-date information.