Tax Day 2019 Freebies And Deals A Comprehensive Consumer Guide To Promotional Offers

Tax Day 2019 fell on April 15, a date many Americans associate with paperwork, deadlines, and financial obligations. For years, however, the same date has become a recurring marketing moment when restaurants, retailers, and service providers use a mix of free items, low-cost specials, and waived fees to ease the strain of filing. These offers vary widely, from entirely free food to percentage discounts, mobile app downloads, and service-based promotions. They typically include redemption rules that determine how and when consumers can claim them, and—importantly—they often expire quickly or operate on a “while supplies last” basis.

This guide consolidates the verifiable freebies, deals, and promotional offers that were publicly available in April 2019, with a focus on Tax Day-specific promotions and other April calendar events that delivered free products or services. It explains the redemption methods and any requirements that were clearly stated, and it highlights the practical considerations that can influence whether a consumer is able to successfully redeem a particular offer.

Food Service Freebies and Zero-Cost Items One of the most accessible types of Tax Day offers consists of genuine free food items that require no purchase. These promotions are designed to attract foot traffic and introduce new customers to a brand, often by giving away a small sample or signature item. In April 2019, several national and regional chains offered truly free items on or around Tax Day.

Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt made a straightforward offer: a small frozen yogurt was free on April 15, 2019, with the promotion redeemed by mentioning it at the point of purchase. The deal was limited to one per customer and was available only while supplies lasted. Early arrival was advisable, particularly in high-traffic markets, since no purchase was required and quantities were capped.

Great American Cookies provided a free regular chocolate chip cookie at participating locations on April 15, 2019. The offer required no purchase and was limited to one per customer. This represented a low-barrier, no-cost opportunity to sample the brand’s flagship product.

Hot Dog on a Stick offered free original turkey or veggie dogs on April 15, 2019, with no purchase required and a one-per-customer limit. Similar to Great American Cookies, this was a true free item designed to expose consumers to a signature product without a financial commitment.

Chick-fil-A appeared on several deal lists, but the precise offer was described inconsistously. Some sources indicated free chicken minis at select locations. Because restaurant participation can vary by market and the information was not uniform across official channels, shoppers were encouraged to verify availability directly with the local restaurant.

Hardee’s offered a free sausage biscuit from 7 to 10 a.m. on April 15, 2019, a time-bound free item that encouraged early visits. Customers who were near participating locations during those hours could redeem the item by ordering at the counter or drive-thru, with the one-per-customer limit applying.

Some chains also used short app-based windows to deliver freebies. For example, B.GOOD offered new app users a free green or grain bowl or burger by downloading the restaurant’s app between certain dates in April. Customers who already had the app could receive free fries with any purchase at participating locations. These app-based free items required digital enrollment, which, while free, involved providing contact information and creating an account.

The freebies above were authentic no-cost offers, but they were typically limited in quantity and subject to individual store participation. The redemption instructions were minimal: mention the promotion at the register, download an app, or arrive within a specified time window. Because inventory was not unlimited, the speed of redemption and local store supply played a significant role in whether a consumer could successfully claim an item.

Food Service Deals and Discounts Beyond free products, many restaurants offered percentage discounts or bundled specials priced at or near cost. These required a purchase, but they presented a high-value alternative to full-price items and were often available all day or for extended windows on Tax Day.

Applebee’s featured a monthly drink special: the Strawberry Dollarita, made with tequila, strawberry, and margarita mix, served on the rocks with a Twizzlers candy straw. The drink was priced at $1 at participating locations during April 2019, and it required no special code; customers could simply order the promotional beverage at the bar or from a server.

Boston Market introduced a Tax Day meal special priced at $10.40, designed to evoke the date of the deadline. The special included a half chicken individual meal with two sides, cornbread, and a regular fountain beverage. It was available while supplies lasted, and it required no coupon. The offer was available at restaurants and for online delivery, making it accessible to both dine-in and off-premise customers.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse offered half off large deep dish or Tavern-Cut pizzas on April 15, 2019, for dine-in, take-out, or delivery. In addition, the chain kicked off three weeks of free delivery and no service fee on delivery orders placed through the BJ’s website. Consumers could read more about the delivery program on the company’s website, but the pizza discount itself did not require a code; it was applied at participating locations with the mention of the promotion.

These discounted offers extended the value beyond free items. In each case, a clear purchase was required, but the price point and the bundling of items created a meaningful benefit. Because many of these offers were “while supplies last,” the practical advice was to arrive early and confirm participation with the specific location.

Delivery Service Fee Waivers and Mobile App Promotions Several delivery platforms and food ordering services used Tax Day as a hook to showcase app adoption and stimulate order volume. These offers were typically tied to minimum order thresholds and required using specific app or web channels.

Bite Squad and Waitr offered “no delivery fees” when customers spent $20 or more on food, with the promo code TAXDAY19. Orders needed to be placed on the services’ apps or through the platforms’ websites, and the offer was only valid on April 15, 2019. The promo code was the key redemption method; without it, the delivery fee would apply. The $20 minimum ensured that the free delivery benefit was paired with a purchase of a certain size.

B.GOOD’s free items for app users functioned as a form of acquisition marketing. New app users could get a free bowl or burger by downloading the app during a specific window, and existing app users could get free fries with any purchase. Although the offer was free, it required downloading the app, creating an account, and visiting a participating location.

These app- and code-based promotions had the benefit of flexibility for remote customers but required a bit more planning. Consumers needed to download the app, apply the correct promo code, and meet any spending thresholds. The trade-off was convenience and potential savings on delivery fees or a complimentary item.

Document and Personal Services In addition to food and delivery services, Tax Day 2019 also saw promotions for document-related and personal care services. These were practical, hands-on offers that could save time and money around a traditionally stressful deadline.

Office Depot and OfficeMax provided free document shredding of up to 5 pounds on Tax Day. The service was intended to help consumers securely dispose of sensitive paperwork, and it was typically redeemed by bringing materials to a participating store on or near April 15. Quantities were limited, and the offer was designed to handle personal documents rather than large business volumes.

HydroMassage offered a multi-day window for free hydro massages from April 14 to April 21, 2019, creating an extended promotional period around Tax Day. Consumers could schedule appointments or use walk-in availability, subject to local capacity and participating locations. Because massage chairs can accommodate one user at a time, demand and the number of chairs at a location were key determinants of wait times.

Local and brand-specific services also appeared in consumer lists. For example, some communities promoted free tax preparation through AARP Tax-Aide programs, though access depended on local volunteer availability and eligibility rules. These programs often required identity documentation and basic information about income, reflecting a public service approach rather than a marketing-driven offer.

Freebies Outside of Tax Day: April Calendar Events Tax Day was not the only April moment with freebies. Many brands and organizations schedule recurring free offers around established calendar events. In April 2019, several notable examples aligned with broader cultural or seasonal observances.

National Park Week ran from April 20 to April 28. During that period, the National Parks Service joined the National Park Foundation to celebrate with special programs, events, and free admission. Consumers who planned ahead could visit participating parks without paying an entrance fee, subject to local rules and any required reservations. This was a multi-day program rather than a single-day offer, and the locations varied across the country.

Rita’s Italian Ice marked the first day of spring with free Italian ices. In 2019, the first day of spring fell on March 20, a date that falls just before Tax Day but is often included in April deal roundups. The free item was typically a small serving, and it required mentioning the promotion at the counter, with quantity limits applying at participating locations.

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day occurred in mid-April. The brand has hosted this event since 1979, giving away a free ice cream cone to thank customers. In 2018, the event was held on April 10, and similar timing was expected in 2019. The offer was redeemable at participating shops, and lines could be long, particularly in high-traffic areas.

Carvel’s Free Cone Day took place in late April, including a free junior soft ice cream cone in select flavors. The chain also sold $1 coupon books, the sale of which benefited the American Red Cross. The coupon book was optional; the free cone itself required no purchase.

Kona Ice’s free shaved ice offer was mentioned on consumer lists, though the precise redemption date and method were not consistently specified across sources. Consumers were advised to check with local Kona Ice trucks or stands for their schedule and promotion details.

Krispy Kreme celebrated “Superhero Day” on April 28, giving away a free dozen donuts with the purchase of a dozen. This annual event typically required the purchase to be completed on the day of the offer, and it was limited to participating locations. Because the free dozen was tied to a purchase, the practical value came from the second dozen being free, not from a zero-cost item.

Free tax filing resources were also highlighted as April programs, even though they are not “freebies” in the product sampling sense. DIY Tax allowed consumers to file both federal and state returns online for free, while My Free Taxes provided free filing for individuals earning $66,000 or less. TaxSlayer offered a path to file federal and state returns for free with the TaxSlayer Simply Free product. These services required eligibility verification and standard tax documentation; the “free” aspect depended on income thresholds and the complexity of the return.

How to Redeem Offers: Methods and Requirements The redemption methods for April 2019 offers fell into several clear patterns. First, simple mentions at the point of purchase were common. For example, free items at Bananas, Great American Cookies, and Hot Dog on a Stick required no code and no app; the customer simply requested the promotional item and received it, subject to limits. These were the most straightforward to claim, assuming the location was participating and supplies were available.

Second, time-bound windows applied to some offers. Hardee’s free sausage biscuit was only available from 7 to 10 a.m. on April 15, requiring an early visit. Carvel’s free cone day and Ben & Jerry’s free cone day were date-specific, with lines forming early in the day. National Park Week had a defined start and end date, and free admission was available only during that window.

Third, mobile app downloads and digital enrollment were required for certain offers. B.GOOD provided free items to new or existing app users, effectively trading a free bowl, burger, or fries for the creation of an account and the data associated with it. Although the monetary cost was zero, the “cost” in time and privacy trade-offs needed to be considered by consumers.

Fourth, promo codes were necessary for delivery fee waivers. Bite Squad and Waitr required the code TAXDAY19, a $20 minimum purchase, and ordering through their app or website. The offer was only valid on Tax Day. In addition, some restaurant chains highlighted delivery service promotions through their own websites, such as BJ’s three weeks of free delivery following Tax Day.

Finally, “while supplies last” clauses were common. In practice, this meant early arrival was advisable for both free and discounted items. The number of free samples or promotional quantities at a given location could be limited, and stores did not always restock on the same day. Consumers could mitigate the risk of missing out by checking participating locations and arriving early, particularly for high-profile freebies or time-bound specials.

Eligibility and Participation Nuances Eligibility for these offers varied by location, and not all brands listed uniform terms across channels. For example, Chick-fil-A’s free minis were reported by consumer lists, but specific participation was not uniformly confirmed by official notices for every location. Similarly, Kona Ice’s free shaved ice was mentioned, but the exact date and participating trucks were not clearly specified in the documentation provided.

App-based offers were open to anyone willing to download the program, though they required consent to digital communication and the creation of a user account. Some offers targeted new users, and others rewarded existing users for repeat visits, which affected who could claim the benefit.

Free services such as document shredding at Office Depot and OfficeMax were limited in weight (5 pounds) and by store capacity. AARP Tax-Aide programs were free, but they often required meeting income thresholds and bringing necessary documentation, such as prior-year returns and current-year tax forms.

Overall, participation and eligibility were local and brand-specific. The best way to confirm availability was to check a location’s website, call the store, or consult the app’s promotional page before attempting to redeem an offer.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Savings For consumers seeking to take advantage of April 2019 offers, a few practical strategies could improve the odds of success. First, plan around date-specific events. If a free cone day or a “Superhero Day” purchase requirement was on the calendar, arrive early and confirm the exact offer details with the local store. This minimized the risk of missing out due to long lines or depleted quantities.

Second, use apps strategically. For offers tied to app downloads or account creation, weigh the benefits against privacy considerations. Some promotions offered meaningful value—like a free bowl or burger at B.GOOD—while others were minor perks, such as free fries with a purchase. In many cases, app-based freebies were limited to a single redemption per user.

Third, prepare for service-based offers. Free document shredding services were useful, but they required a trip to a store and the proper documentation, typically limiting the offer to 5 pounds of paper. Massage services had a wider window but could be subject to high demand and limited chair availability.

Fourth, consider bundling. Offers like the Boston Market $10.40 meal and the BJ’s half-off pizzas were designed to deliver clear value for a single visit. When combined with free delivery windows or app-based promos, they could stretch a tight budget across multiple meals.

Finally, verify participation. Because many offers were location-specific, the safest approach was to check the relevant brand’s website or call the store ahead of time. For delivery apps, ensure the promo code was entered correctly and the order met the minimum threshold. These verification steps helped avoid disappointment and ensured compliance with the stated terms.

A Note on Source Reliability This guide relied on publicly available, consumer-facing materials about April 2019 offers, including article roundups, brand announcements, and calendar event descriptions. Where consumer lists and brand information differed or were incomplete, the guide explicitly acknowledged the lack of uniformity. For example, details about Chick-fil-A’s free minis and Kona Ice’s free shaved ice were not consistently specified across sources, so they were presented with caution. Offers with clear redemption methods, dates, and limits—such as Bananas’ free frozen yogurt or Hardee’s time-bound sausage biscuit—were emphasized. The most reliable offers were those with clear terms and easily verifiable redemption instructions.

In addition, the guide made a distinction between true free items and high-value discounts. Some events, like Krispy Kreme’s “Superhero Day,” required a purchase and therefore did not constitute a no-cost item. The presence of a “while supplies last” clause, time windows, and app-specific conditions were highlighted as practical factors that could influence real-world redemption outcomes.

Conclusion Tax Day 2019 delivered a broad range of freebies and deals that could help consumers offset some of the stress and expense associated with filing. Genuine free food items—like the small frozen yogurt at Bananas, the chocolate chip cookie at Great American Cookies, and the turkey or veggie dogs at Hot Dog on a Stick—required no purchase, though they were limited and operated on a “while supplies last” basis. Time-bound freebies, such as Hardee’s 7–10 a.m. sausage biscuit, incentivized early visits, while app-based offers from B.GOOD and delivery platforms like Bite Squad and Waitr used codes and digital enrollment to unlock discounts or free items.

Beyond Tax Day, April 2019 featured recurring calendar events with free products and services, including National Park Week, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day, Carvel’s Free Cone Day, and Krispy Kreme’s “Superhero Day.” Several chains used Tax Day to introduce or extend free delivery programs, and service-based offers like Office Depot’s free document shredding and HydroMassage’s extended window around the holiday provided practical, non-food benefits.

Successful redemption generally depended on arriving early, confirming local participation, and following the stated redemption method—whether that was a point-of-purchase mention, a mobile app download, or a promo code entered at checkout. The clarity and consistency of the offer terms varied by brand and location, so consumers were encouraged to verify details directly with the store or service provider.

In sum, the 2019 Tax Day offers provided an accessible mix of no-cost items, low-cost meals, and waived fees, augmented by April’s calendar of promotional events. When approached with realistic expectations and attention to local terms, they offered tangible opportunities to save time, money, and hassle during a typically demanding period.

Sources

1. Tax Day 2019 Freebies And Deals: A Comprehensive Consumer Guide To Annual Promotional Offers
2. Tax Day 2019: Freebies & Cheapies
3. All The Free Food Deals In April 2019
4. 2019 Freebie Days
5. Tax Day 2019: All deals and freebies