Last-minute filings will delay refunds The good news is that state tax return extensions are automatic, and can even be obtained on-line if done so before the normal filing deadline of midnight Friday. The bad news is that, if you
Last-minute filings will delay refunds
The good news is that state tax return extensions are automatic, and can even be obtained on-line if done so before the normal filing deadline of midnight Friday.
The bad news is that, if you are expecting to owe the state money for income taxes, you still need to pay most of it by tomorrow.
A bit more bad news is that, for those expecting a refund and waiting until the last minute to file, the wait for refund checks is expected to be longer than normal.
That’s because the state Department of Taxation is being deluged with paper returns as the deadline nears, said Linda Cacpal, acting chief of the department’s taxpayer services branch.
While curbside services will be available on O’ahu until midnight tomorrow, there will be no such services on Kaua’i. To be considered on time, forms must be postmarked by tomorrow or hand-delivered to the department’s office in the State Building in Lihu`e by 4:30 p.m.
There will be no extended hours at either the State Building or post offices to accept last-minute paper forms, the tax department warns.
Do those filing state tax returns oftentimes wait until the last minute to file, as has been the experience of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for federal forms? Yes and no, Cacpal replied.
Naturally, there are fewer state than federal returns filed, but many who file Hawai’i state tax returns do wait until the last minute, she explained.
And that waiting will result in a corresponding delay for a refund, probably beyond the usual five to six weeks, she said.
Filing electronically will reduce the refund wait, likely to two to three weeks. The state expects between 10 percent and 20 percent of those filing state returns to do so electronically. As of Wednesday 22,629 forms have been received electronically, around 15 percent of the 150,860 total forms, Cacpal said.
State taxes go straight into the humongous state general fund which pays for the myriad state functions, including tax offices, parks and state government in general.
For those who feel they won’t be able to get their state taxes done by tomorrow, the completed and filed Form N-101A gives taxpayers an automatic four-month extension of time to file returns. Federal Form 4868 will be accepted in lieu of the state Form N-101A.
The Web site to get the extension electronically is www.ehawaiigov.org. Either way, those filing for extensions must still pay any expected balance due the state, either via paper or electronic correspondence. There is a $2.50 fee per transaction for payments made electronically.
The state will accept tax forms sent via Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service, as long as those couriers take possession of the parcel on or before tomorrow.
Extension forms and other state tax forms can be requested toll-free at 1-800-222-7572, and could be faxed to taxpayers in time to meet the Friday deadline. Those needing tax forms sooner may download extension and other selected forms from the tax department’s Internet site at www/.state.hi.us/tax/.
Tax forms are also available from the department’s 2000 tax information CD-ROM, which is available for $15, and at the department’s State Building office, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
