Tax Day isn’t likely to inspire much excitement among Americans. Most of us view April 15 either as a dreadful deadline we have yet to meet or a cruel reminder of the money Uncle Sam stole from our paychecks. Fortunately, several restaurants and businesses have decided to provide some financial relief to us weary taxpayers. Here are 10 tax day freebies and deals frugal shoppers can claim (without fear of penalties!).
Boston Market
Help yourself to a free home-style meal at Boston Market thanks to its Tax Day Special. If you buy one individual meal on April 15, you’ll get one individual meal free. This special is valid with any individual meal, whole sandwich, whole sandwich combo, salad bowl or market bowl. Their website states there is a limit of three “buy one, get one free” per person, per visit (so maybe you swing by lunch and dinner to score some more free food). And the best part of this special (aside from the food): No coupon is required!
California Tortilla
Looking to spice things up this Tax Day? California Tortilla is offering free chips and queso (or salsa for the cheese-intolerant) on April 15. There are a few hoops to jump through before you can chow down on your complimentary chips and dip. First, you must make a purchase, though California Tortilla’s website doesn’t specify what kind of purchase qualifies. (Maybe a small soda will suffice?) Second, as you place your order, you must say the secret password “Taxes Shmaxes.” I’m not kidding.
Great American Cookies
2015 marks the third year of the national gourmet cookie shop’s annual Tax Day freebie tradition. This year, Great American Cookies has decided to shake things up by offering a free sugar cookie to customers who stop by participating stores on Wednesday, April 15. No purchase or proof of completed taxes is necessary to claim your sugar cookie, so you don’t have to worry about taxing (get it?) your wallet any more than you already have. There is, however, a limit of one per customer while supplies last.
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is cutting taxpayers a break by giving them the chance to sing for their supper. That’s right, on April 15, at participating locations, you can sing your favorite song and get a free Local Legendary Burger. Singers of all ages (and skill level) are welcome; however, those who are under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Also, your song must be on Hard Rock Cafe’s list of designated songs, which I’m guessing is fairly extensive. I should also stress that this promotion is only valid at participating locations at certain times. Make sure to check the events page of Hard Rock Café’s website, or call your local location to see if it is participating and, if so, when.
Schlotzsky’s
The international sandwich franchise wants to make Tax Day “Lotz Better” for stressed-out Americans with free food. On April 15, participating restaurants nationwide will give each guest one free “The Original sandwich,” as long as those guests purchase a 32-ounce drink and a bag of chips. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Schlotzsky’s menu, The Original sandwich is topped with lean smoked ham, genoa and cotto salamis, melted cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then layered with black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard and signature dressing. Bet your mouth has never watered at the thought of Tax Day before.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
To make the end of tax season a little sweeter, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt will offer an exclusive discount to its Facebook fans ( https://www.facebook.com/orangeleafyogurt). If you claim the offer when it is posted on April 14, you can get up to 15 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings on April 15 for $4.15. You must show proof of claim to get the discount, which you can do either by printing it out or presenting it via smartphone. Unfortunately, the Tax Day Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
Bonefish Grill
Bonefish Grill is inviting guests to celebrate the spring season (and the end of tax season) with fresh choices and innovative flavors. Your meal will taste even better when you show this coupon for $10 off your next Bonefish Grill visit. You can either print your coupon out or show it on your smartphone. If you’re too busy to dine out that day, don’t worry. This offer is valid through April 20, 2015.
Sonny’s BBQ
What does IRS stand for? According to Sonny’s BBQ, it means Irresistible Ribs Special (a much more appetizing interpretation than Internal Revenue Service). Those who dine at Sonny’s BBQ on April 15 can get a rib dinner for half the price. It’s unclear on the website whether you need to present proof of the promotion, or if the promotion only applies to select locations, so you should call your local Sonny’s BBQ ahead of time for details.
Staples
Perhaps you discovered your filing cabinet could use some spring cleaning, or maybe you simply get a cathartic thrill of destroying piles of frustrating documents. Either way, you may be shredding some serious paper in the near future. Rather than splurge on a personal paper shredder only to suffer through countless paper jams, you can print an online coupon at Staples.com for five pounds of free shredding at Staples.
HydroMassage
There’s no doubt about it, Tax Day can be stressful. Wouldn’t it be nice to unwind with a massage? Well, from April 13 through April 17, you can enjoy a free HydroMassage experience. Though I haven’t personally experienced one, you can bet I’m going to find out what one is like. To find out for yourself, simply visit HydroMassage’s website to find the nearest business with HydroMassage, call ahead to schedule your massage time during tax week and print your “Free HydroMassage Experience” coupon to redeem at your massage session.
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10 Tax Day Freebies and Deals originally appeared on usnews.com
