TAX NEWS - March 2009

Hawaii Tax: State Tax Returns Due April 20th tax

Curbside Drop-Off Service for Last Minute Filers on O'ahu Discontinued This Year

Hawaii Department of Taxation is reminding Hawai'i taxpayers that the deadline to file State individual income tax returns will be Monday, April 20, 2009.

Starting this year, the tax department will not offer curbside drop-off service after regular business hours on that day, due to the significant decrease in the number of people using the service in prior years.

The after-hours curbside drop-off has seen a steady downward trend in the number of tax returns collected over the years due to the increase in taxpayers filing their tax returns electronically. However, drop boxes will still be available in front of the tax office building at 830 Punchbowl Street, near the entrance to the building, and also on the adjacent Halekauwila Street for last-minute paper return filers. Tax returns will be considered filed on time if they are placed in the drop boxes by midnight, April 20, 2009.

The tax department would like to thank their dedicated staff who volunteered their time over the past 20 years to provide the curbside drop-off service, which addressed a specific need prior to the electronic filing era.

The Department of Taxation also urge Hawaii taxpayers to file their tax returns
electronically for expedient processing of refunds and also to receive confirmation of filing their tax returns.

Taxpayers who file the Form N-13, short form for residents, are urged to use the quick, convenient, free "E-file" to file their 2008 tax returns which will also be due on April 20, 2009. Form N-13 (Resident Income Tax Return – Short Form) may be electronically filed at no cost at: www.ehawaii.gov/efile/ to create an account – then file the N-13 online. Taxpayers may also file the Form N-11 (Hawai'i Resident Income Tax Return) or Form N-15 (Hawai'i Part-Year Resident or Nonresident Tax Return) through the Joint Federal/State E-filing (JELF) program. Check the Department of Taxation's website for a list of approved vendors who offer JELF at: www.state.hi.us/tax/b2_3software.htm.

For assistance on tax questions or filing your State tax return, call (808) 587-4242 or toll-free at 1-800-222-3229.

For more information contact:

Sandi Yahiro
Deputy Director of Taxation