TAX NEWS - February 2009

Requesting an Extension for Income Tax Return - State of Georgia tax

There are two ways to obtain an automatic six month extension to file your Georgia income tax return:

- Obtain an extension to file your Federal return. You do not need to request an extension to file your Georgia return if you receive a Federal extension. The due date for filing your Georgia return will be automatically extended with an approved Federal extension. Attach a copy of Federal Form 4868 or the IRS confirmation letter (if you request a Federal extension electronically) to the Georgia return when filed. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit their website at www.irs.gov to obtain Form 4868 and additional tax return extension information.

OR

- Submit Georgia Form IT-303 if you do not need a Federal extension. You must mail Form IT-303 before the statutory return due date and attach a copy to the return when filed. We will notify you only if your extension request is denied.

An extension to file cannot exceed six months and does not extend the date for paying the tax. Tax must be mailed, along with Form IT-560, by the statutory due date for filing the return to avoid late payment penalty and interest. The amount paid should be entered on Form 500, Page 2, Line 20.

NOTE

The Department of Revenue began accepting credit card tax payments on March 8, 2005. However, credit cards are not accepted for tax payments associated with an extension that has been requested or is in force. We only accept credit cards for current year individual income tax payments due on original Forms 500, 500EZ, 500ES, corporate income tax due on original Forms 600 and 602ES, and liabilities presented to taxpayers via Georgia Department of Revenue assessment notices.