Tax Day 2019, which fell on Monday, April 15, marked the traditional deadline for U.S. individual tax returns, prompting a variety of brands and businesses to offer promotional deals, discounts, and free items to consumers. These offers spanned categories including food and beverages, retail services, travel, and entertainment, providing ways for taxpayers to save money or receive complimentary products after filing their returns. The promotions were typically available on or around April 15, 2019, with some extending for a few days. Eligibility often required in-store visits, specific redemption phrases, or membership in loyalty programs, and many were limited to participating locations while supplies lasted. This article details the verified offers from that period, drawing from reliable sources such as official brand announcements and promotional landing pages. It focuses on actionable information for U.S. consumers seeking no-cost or discounted items, emphasizing the terms and conditions of each deal.
Food and Beverage Freebies and Discounts
Several restaurant chains and food brands offered free or discounted items on Tax Day 2019, targeting consumers looking to unwind after tax season. These deals often included free food with a purchase or reduced-price bundles.
Hardee's provided a free Made From Scratch Sausage Biscuit on April 15, 2019, at participating locations. Consumers could redeem one biscuit per customer by using the phrase "Made From Scratch" between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time. The offer was subject to availability and did not include tax. Pairing the biscuit with Hardee's Rise and Shine Coffee was suggested at a discounted price of $1.59 for a large cup.
California Tortilla offered free chips and queso with any purchase on April 15. Customers needed to say "1040" when ordering to receive one free small chips and queso per guest. This in-store-only deal was valid on April 15, 2019, and could not be combined with other offers or used for online or delivery orders.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse celebrated Tax Day by offering half off large deep dish or tavern-cut pizzas, available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery on April 15. Additionally, starting on Tax Day, BJ's provided three weeks of free delivery and no service fee on delivery orders via bjsrestaurants.com, ending on May 5, 2019.
Boston Market featured a $10.40 Tax Day Meal Special, which included a Half Chicken Individual Meal, available for dine-in on April 15. A coupon was required to redeem this offer.
Bruegger's Bagels brought back its annual Tax Day deal, allowing guests to purchase a Big Bagel Bundle for $10.40—a discount of over $3.50 from the regular price. The bundle included 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese. This offer was available to members of the Bruegger's Inner Circle or those who claimed it at Brueggers.com.
Farmer Boys, a farm-fresh burger chain with over 90 locations in California and Nevada, ran a promo on April 15, offering two Breakfast Burritos or two Bell Ringer double cheeseburgers for $10.40. The regular price was $6.99 for one Breakfast Burrito and $5.99 for one Bell Ringer.
Great American Cookies provided one free original Chocolate Chip Cookie on Tax Day at participating locations.
Cachette 1907 at Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans served a signature Income Tax Cocktail for $10.40 on April 15, 2019. 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, 2019, to help customers make the most of their refunds.
Kimpton Solamar Hotel and JSix in San Diego featured a $4.15 Kimpton Solamar Lager Beer or Rye Old Fashioned on April 15, 2019.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania provided a Tax Day Love Offer, where guests booking on April 15 could receive a certificate for a complimentary night to share with a friend, valid for stays from April 16 to December 22, 2019.
These food and beverage deals were primarily in-store and required specific actions like mentioning a phrase or presenting a coupon. They were limited to participating locations and while supplies lasted, emphasizing the need for early arrival.
Retail and Service Discounts
Retailers and service providers offered discounts on products and services, including tax preparation software, electronics, and travel bookings. These deals aimed to offset the costs associated with tax season.
Best Buy provided several discounts on tax software, including popular products like TurboTax and H&R Block, during the Tax Day period.
Amazon offered a $10 discount on TurboTax Deluxe for Mac downloads, along with a $10 Amazon gift card.
Office Depot (and Office Max) provided free in-store shredding through April 23, 2019. Each customer could bring up to 5 pounds of documents to shred, requiring a coupon for the service.
Tax Software Deals included:
- TaxSlayer: 35% off federal tax returns, valid through April 18, 2022.
- TurboTax: $20 off tax prep software through March 31, 2022 (though this was a pre-Tax Day offer, it was relevant for those filing early).
- H&R Block: 25% off select online tax filing products.
- TaxAct: 20% off federal tax returns, valid through October 15, 2022.
- E-File: 30% off tax filing using the code SAVE30.
Perdue Farms offered 15% off all purchases on PerdueFarms.com from April 15 to April 18, 2022, using the code TAXDAY22. The site sold hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, including beef, lamb, poultry, and pork, as well as product bundles.
Smokey Bones provided a $10 off coupon for Bones Club loyalty members on dine-in or online orders over $25, valid from April 1 to April 18, 2022. Non-members could sign up during the promotion to receive the coupon.
Kona Ice designated Tax Day as "National Chill Out Day," offering free shaved ice at participating locations with the motto "No taxation without relaxation."
Orbitz refunded all taxes and fees on hotel or hotel + flight packages booked on April 15, 2019. Users needed to join or log into Orbitz Rewards, book the package, and check their account within 48 hours to receive the refund in Orbucks (travel dollars worth $1 USD each) for future use.
Shelborne South Beach offered a "Taxation Vacation" discount to help guests celebrate and spend their tax returns.
Planet Fitness provided a free workout and HydroMassage from April 15 to 18, 2022, at any of its 2,200+ U.S. locations.
Straight Talk offered up to 25% off new smartphones during tax season, with Tax Day 2022 as the promotion's last day.
These retail and service offers often required membership, promo codes, or online booking, with some extending beyond Tax Day itself.
Potential and Historical Deals
Some brands had offered Tax Day deals in previous years but had not confirmed 2019 promotions as of the source data. Consumers were advised to check official sites for updates.
Bruegger's Bagels had previously offered a $10.40 Big Bagel Bundle and 20% off catering with code "twentyoff."
Bumper (a vehicle history report service) had provided 20% off reports in prior years, targeting those using tax refunds for car purchases.
California Tortilla had operated a taco speakeasy in past Tax Day promotions.
These potential deals were not verified for 2019 and should be confirmed via brand websites.
Conclusion
Tax Day 2019 promotions provided U.S. consumers with a range of free and discounted opportunities, from complimentary biscuits and cookies to software discounts and travel refunds. Most offers required in-store presence, specific phrases, or loyalty membership, and were limited to participating locations and while supplies lasted. Consumers should always verify details on official brand websites, as promotions can change yearly. These deals highlight how brands leverage Tax Day to reward taxpayers and drive engagement.