Tax Day can be exciting if you're expecting a refund, but kind of a downer if you have to cut a check to the IRS. Regardless, many businesses are offering Tax Day deals or giveaways Tuesday in honor of the occasion.
We'll say it now and then remind you later, but you'll definitely want to check with your local chains to make sure they're participating in the following deals. Here's what you can expect:
Recommended Videos
Food and drinks
The spot: Great American Cookies
What you get: A free birthday cake cookie
The fine print: This deal is pretty cut-and-dried, all things considered. You’re not required to buy anything else in order to receive the free cookie, and you don’t have to show proof of tax completion. Score!
The spot: Bob Evans
What you get: 30 percent off your bill
The fine print: You’ll need to print this coupon to get the deal.
The spot: Kona Ice
What you get: A free cup of shaved ice
The fine print: You’re not required to show proof that you did your taxes and you don’t have to buy anything else. We love deals like this! Kona wants you to “chill out,” and will have trucks parked all across the country.
The spot: Sonic
What you get: Half-price cheeseburgers
The fine print: Valid for single-patty burgers only, Sonic said on its website.
The spot: Schlotzsky’s
What you get: “The Original” sandwich
The fine print: If you buy a bag of chips and a 32-ounce drink, you’ll get The Original for free. The deal is on for Tuesday only.
The spot: Noodles and Co.
What you get: $4 off your online purchase of $10 or more
The fine print: Use the code TAXDAY17 when you order through April 18.
The spot: Hot Dog on a Stick
What you get: A free original turkey dog
The fine print: Valid Tuesday only, at participating locations. One turkey dog per customer, please!
The spot: Sonny’s BBQ
What you get: A half-priced St. Louis rib dinner
The fine print: Valid Tuesday only, but you can choose sweet and smoky or house dry-rubbed ribs. The meal comes with two sidekicks and bread. Not all Sonny’s locations are offering the deal. The promotion can’t be used with any other offer, coupon or discount. You’re able to dine in or carry out the dinner portion only. This doesn’t include baby back ribs or all-you-can-eat.
The spot: World of Beer
What you get: A free select draught or $5 off your check
The fine print: The offer varies at participating taverns, where legal. The deal runs Tuesday only.
The spot: Hard Rock Cafe
The deal: A free Legendary Burger -- if you’re ready to sing
The fine print: This one’s a little trickier: Hard Rock cafes across the country have offered this promotion in the past, but now it seems to be more of a regional deal. For example, at a Tampa location, guests will be able to sing for their supper from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in exchange for a free Legendary Burger, according to published reports. But this doesn’t seem to be the case everywhere, so we remind you again: Before you warm up those pipes, it might be best to call first and ask if the deal is on.
The spot: Hungry Howie’s
What you get: A 15-cent medium, one-topping pizza if you buy a large pizza at menu price
The fine print: This deal runs April 17-19. You must order online, using the promo code TAXDAY at checkout. It’s for carry-out orders only, and the offer isn’t valid in Florida.
The spot: Bruegger’s Bagels
The deal: A $10.40 Big Bagel Bundle (which includes 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese)
The fine print: Valid April 12-19 at participating bakeries, and you’ll have to opt-in to receive emails from Bruegger’s here.
The spot: Boston’s
The deal: A free single order of wings
The fine print: You have to register in the restaurant’s rewards program by Tuesday. Enroll here.
The spot: Boston Market
What you get: A half-chicken meal, including two sides, cornbread, a cookie and a fountain drink, for $10.40.
The fine print: Valid Tuesday only.
The spot: McDonald's
What you get: This is another regional promotion, so you’ll have to check. But many McDonald's outlets in South Florida, for example, are letting you buy one Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with cheese and receive another for a penny.
The fine print: Swing by your local McDonald's to confirm your deal. In the past, McDonald's hasn’t required a coupon.
The spot: Firehouse Subs
What you get: A free medium sub with a qualifying purchase
The fine print: In order to get the free sub, you’ll need to buy an additional medium or large sub, chips and a medium drink. This runs April 18-20. Here’s a coupon.
Experiences
The spot: HydroMassage
What you get: A free session
The fine print: This offer runs April 15-22. Print a coupon through this website to receive the deal, or to learn more information and find a location near you.
The spot: Our country’s national parks
What you get: Free admission
The fine print: This deal isn’t really Tax Day specific, but it falls around the same time, so we thought to include it. Did you know it’s National Parks Week? That means free entry into the parks this weekend. Just be aware, many of the national parks have special events running around this time, so you’ll want to check with the park of your choice first, to make sure you’re all set.
The spot: Select Wyndham properties
What you get: Up to 35 percent off if you book online by Monday
The fine print: The offer is for select Wyndham and Wyndham Grand hotel properties in Florida, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and other destinations. Use the code HTAX00 to book for travel between May 1 and Sept. 30, according to CNBC.
The spot: The skies
What you get: JetBlue is giving away 1,000 return flights (get it?) for taxpayers who owe the IRS.
The fine print: This is part of JetBlue’s Tax Return Flight giveaway. Enter to win here.
Other
The spot: Staples
What you get: Free paper shredding, up to 2 pounds
The fine print: Here’s a coupon for the details and the deal.
The spot: Office Depot/Office Max
What you get: Free paper shredding, up to 5 pounds
The fine print: This is valid through April 29. Here’s a coupon you’ll need.
So, did we miss any deals you're aware of? Let us know in the comments!