Businesses offer April 15 freebies to help take the sting out of tax day

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The tax man cometh on Thursday but all is not lost. Several businesses are offering freebies to take away some of the sting, including:

Dunkin Donuts shops at 4152 W. 167th St. in Oak Forest, 4021 W. 183rd St. in Country Club Hills and 11309 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park will be giving away free small iced coffees from midnight to midnight April 15. Owner Asif Nathani said the offer is good for one per customer but no purchase is required.

“You don’t even need a coupon,” says Nathani, who took over ownership of the three shops recently. “It’s a get acquainted offer.”

Starbucks is giving away free 20-ounce coffees to anyone who brings in a travel mug from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 15. http://www.starbucks.com/

IHOP is letting kids under 12 eat for free throughout April. Deal runs from 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Deal is for one free child’s meal with every paid adult meal. http://www.ihop.com/

Cinnabon is offering two free cupcake bites from 6 to 8 p.m. http://www.cinnabon.com/

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is offering a 15 percent discount on all orders on Thursday. Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the offer as are take-out orders. http://www.pfchangs.com/

Jamba Juice is offering a buy one get one coupon at its Web site www.jambajuice.com through April 25. This one is tied to the company’s 20th anniversary rather than tax day but what the heck.

Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream Treatery is giving away free slices of its ice cream pizza from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday. http://www.maggiemoos.com/

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants are offering $10.40 tax day dinner specials with the added bonus of a gift certificate good for a $10.40 dinner special on your next visit. The restaurant also has a tax preparer’s dessert special for Friday. http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/

These two are unconfirmed but possible. Subway has given away free cookies on tax day in the past, while McDonald’s restaurants have offered tax day specials such as buy one get one for a penny in the past. There’s no harm in asking.

While we’re on the subject of freebies, national parks across America will offer free admission from April 17 to April 25 in honor of National Parks Week. Just in case you find yourself next to the Grand Canyon or Appomattox Court House.