Tax Day 2019, falling on Monday, April 15, brought a variety of free offers and discounts to consumers across the United States. For residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding area, several national and local businesses promoted special incentives ranging from free food and beverages to discounted travel packages and wellness services. These promotions were designed to help taxpayers celebrate the conclusion of the filing season or alleviate the stress associated with tax obligations. The following overview details the specific offers available to Philadelphia-area consumers during this period, based on verified reports and official announcements from 2019.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of Tax Day 2019 promotions focused on the food and beverage sector, with major chains and local eateries offering free items or discounted meals.
Pizza and Restaurant Deals
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse offered a 50% discount on large deep dish or tavern-cut pizzas on April 15. This deal was valid for dine-in, take-out, or delivery orders. Additionally, the chain kicked off a three-week period of free delivery and waived service fees on delivery orders placed through the BJ’s website, ending on May 5.
Boston Market provided a specific Tax Day Meal Special for guests dining in at their restaurants. Customers could purchase a Half Chicken Individual Meal for $10.40. To redeem this offer, a coupon was required, which was made available through the brand’s promotional channels.
California Tortilla promoted a free food item for customers who used a specific code word. On April 15, customers who said “1040” when placing their order received free chips and queso. This offer was valid in-store only, limited to one free small chips and queso per guest, and required a purchase. It could not be combined with other offers and was not valid for online or delivery orders.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a West Coast chain, offered discounts on large pizzas using specific coupon codes. Customers could get $3 off any large pizza using code 481658, or $8 off any two large pizzas using code 883457.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop had a tiered offer for Tax Day. New customers who signed up for Potbelly Perks online or via the app received a free sandwich. Existing Perks members received a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) free sandwich offer loaded into their app. Additionally, the shop offered a free small Original sandwich to customers who purchased chips and a medium drink on April 15 only.
Hooters ran a promotion from April 12 through April 15 where children (referred to as "dependents" in the promotion) ate free with any adult purchase of $15.
Quick Service and Specialty Items
Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt invited guests to celebrate the end of the tax season with a free small frozen yogurt on April 15. To redeem, guests were required to mention the offer at the time of purchase. The brand, known for real fruit smoothies, had over 30 locations nationwide at the time.
Bruegger’s Bagels brought back its annual Tax Day deal, offering a Big Bagel Bundle for $10.40. This bundle included a choice of any 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese, representing a discount of over $3.50 from the standard price. The offer was available to members of the Bruegger’s Inner Circle or anyone who claimed it through the Bruegger’s website.
Hot Dog on a Stick offered one free turkey or veggie dog on April 15. There was a limit of one dog per customer, and no purchase was required.
Kona Ice rebranded Tax Day as "National Chill Out Day." Customers could visit participating Kona Ice trucks to receive a free cup of tropical shaved ice. The deal varied slightly by location, but the company operated over 600 franchise trucks across 43 states.
Waffle House did not offer a free item but promoted a "Free Delivery Week" from April 12 through April 18, 2019, via their partnership with DoorDash.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food, several businesses in the retail and service sectors offered discounts or free services to assist consumers post-tax season.
Orbitz provided a unique travel-related refund offer. On April 15, customers booking a hotel or a flight + hotel package received a refund for all taxes and fees associated with the booking. The refund was credited to the user’s Orbitz Rewards account in "Orbucks" (valued at $1 USD each) within 48 hours. These Orbucks could be used toward future hotel stays on the site.
Planet Fitness offered a free HydroMassage to anyone, regardless of membership status, from April 11 through April 20. To receive the massage, individuals needed to bring a coupon available on the Planet Fitness website.
Shred Nations partnered with local shredding companies to offer a free document shredding service. Consumers could shred up to five pounds of documents for free using a coupon. This offer was valid through April 27, 2019.
Hotel and Travel Packages
For those looking to spend their tax refunds or simply get away, several hotel chains offered special packages and discounts.
Kimpton Hotels
The Kimpton hotel group offered several distinct promotions for Tax Day 2019:
- Kimpton Hotel Palomar and Kimpton Hotel Monaco (Philadelphia): These properties offered a "File, Sip, Stay" package priced at $1,040. This package included an overnight stay in the Presidential Suite, a bottle of champagne, and an in-room couples’ massage. The package was available from April 15 through April 22 and had to be booked 72 hours in advance via a private booking concierge.
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco (Portland, Oregon): This location offered a deal specifically for accountants. By showing proof of profession (such as a business card) at check-in, the hotel would cover the taxes and fees on the nightly rate and provide a complimentary drink. This offer was valid from Tax Day through June 15.
- Kimpton Hotel Pittsburgh: At this location, guests who showed proof at check-in that they owed money on their taxes could receive a bottle of red or white wine delivered to their room for $10.40. This offer was available from April 15 through April 22.
- Kimpton Journeyman Hotel: This hotel offered rates starting at $299 per room per night (plus taxes and gratuities) available from April 1 through April 15. Additionally, the hotel broadcasted "Funny Money" movies on its courtyard facade during these dates. The movies included Trading Places, The Blues Brothers, and The Money Pit.
Other Hotel and Travel Offers
Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania offered a "Tax Day Love Offer." Guests who booked on April 15 received a certificate for a complimentary night to share with a friend, valid for stays between April 16 and December 22, 2019.
Shelborne South Beach offered guests a "Taxation Vacation" discount to encourage spending tax returns on a getaway.
Cachette 1907 at Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans served a signature "1040 Income Tax Cocktail" for $10.40 on April 15. The cocktail featured rum, pineapple, orange juice, and coconut cream.
Divine Lounge, located within the Ivy Hotel in Chicago, offered 10% off the entire bill on April 15.
Conclusion
Tax Day 2019 provided a wide array of freebies and discounts for consumers in Philadelphia and nationwide. The promotions spanned multiple industries, including quick-service restaurants, casual dining, hotels, and fitness centers. Key themes included the use of the number "1040" or "10.40" in pricing and the requirement of coupons or specific code words for redemption. While many offers were valid nationwide, specific hotel packages and restaurant deals were targeted at major metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia. Consumers were advised to check individual store participation and availability, as many offers were valid for one day only or subject to availability.