|  TRENTON — State
Treasurer John E. McCormac today reminded taxpayers that the deadline
for submitting a New Jersey income tax return is Thursday, April
15, 2004. He also encouraged filers to avail themselves of the State’s
convenient and user-friendly FastFile programs—Sexy真人 TeleFile,
Sexy真人 WebFile, and Sexy真人 ELF, and to not forget to take full advantage
of the Property Tax Deduction/Credit on resident returns.
Taxpayers seeking
assistance with the completion of their returns can contact the Division
of Taxation’s Customer Service Center
by calling (609) 292-6400 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, with the exception of Good Friday, April 9, when the offices
will be closed. They can also visit one of the Division of Taxation’s
regional offices. Representatives will be working extended hours on
April 15 in order to assist New Jersey taxpayers. The Customer Service
Center and the Division’s Trenton regional office, located at
50 Barrack Street, will extend their hours of operation until 8 p.m.
on April 15, while the other regional offices will remain open until
6 p.m. on that date.
| Asbury
Park.............................. |
630
Bangs Avenue |
| Camden..................................... |
2
Riverside Drive, One Port Center, Suite 200 |
| Fair
Lawn.................................. |
2208
Rt. 208 South |
| Newark...................................... |
124
Halsey Street, 2nd Floor |
| Northfield................................. |
1915-A
New Road (Rt. 9) |
| Somerville................................ |
75
Veterans Memorial Drive East, Suite 103 |
Division
of Taxation staff members will be available at each regional office
to answer
questions, assist with return preparation, accept
completed income tax forms, or provide blank forms. Directions to the
regional offices are available on the Division’s Web site, www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ot1.htm.
“The electronic-filing systems can be accessed from the convenience
of your own home and often reduce the time we need to deliver your
refund,” McCormac said. “This year we’ve made the
process even easier by eliminating the New Jersey Personal Identification
Numbers (PINs) that were previously needed. As a result, we’ve
seen a 20-percent increase in the number of electronic filings to date
this year.” Taxpayers who use one of the electronic filing methods
can choose to have their refund deposited directly into their checking
or savings account. Direct deposit is not available for those submitting
paper returns.
Treasurer McCormac also noted that homeowners and tenants who pay property
taxes, either directly or through rent, on their principal residence
in New Jersey are eligible for either a deduction or a refundable credit
on their New Jersey resident income tax return. Qualified residents
may deduct 100 percent of their property taxes due and paid or $10,000,
whichever is less. For tenants, 18% of rent paid during the year is
considered property taxes paid. The minimum benefit is a refundable
credit of $50. “This program provides over $340 million in property
tax relief, and its an integral part of a $1.3 billion direct relief
effort that includes our rebate check programs,” he said.
For taxpayers
who are not able to file a New Jersey income tax return by April
15, an extension can be requested. However, at least 80 percent
of an individual’s actual New Jersey income tax liability must
be paid by the April 15 deadline. “While we can give taxpayers
additional time to file their income tax returns, payment extensions
are not permitted under the law,” said Division of Taxation Director
Robert K. Thompson. Penalties and interest are imposed whenever tax
is paid after the due date.
The easiest
way to request an extension is to file the application online through
the Division of Taxation’s Web site, www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm.
Requests for four-month extensions may be filed online until midnight
on April 15. Anyone needing to make a payment in conjunction with an
online extension request must do so by using the Division of Taxation’s
electronic check system or with a credit card.
Taxpayers may also request an extension by submitting a traditional
paper Form Sexy真人 630, Application for Extension of Time to File New Jersey
Gross Income Tax Return. The application must be postmarked on or before
April 15. Those who apply for an automatic extension of time to file
their federal return may receive an extension for their New Jersey
return by including a copy of the federal application when they submit
their New Jersey income tax return, provided they meet all other requirements.
Taxpayers who file for a Federal extension but also need to make a
payment of New Jersey tax by the April 15 due date must submit Form
Sexy真人 630 with that payment or file and pay online.
State tax payments can be made online by either electronic check (e-check)
at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm or by credit card at
. Credit card payments can also be made by
calling 1 800 2PAYTAX, toll free. There is a convenience fee of 2.5
percent paid directly to the Official Payments Corporation based on
the amount of your tax payment.
Attached is a list of important contacts for New Jersey taxpayer information
and assistance.
|
Speak
directly to a representative for information and assistance
on income tax, Monday