PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 13, 2005 - With just a few days left to the tax season, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE: JTX) offers important information regarding tax filing extensions for members of the Armed Forces. Although extensions are available to all military members, certain extensions apply to military members based upon active duty status, which includes serving in a combat zone. Providing military tax tips is part of Jackson Hewitt's dedication to its "Support Our Troops" efforts, which focuses on improving morale and increasing tax education for military members.

 

"It's important for active duty military members to understand the extensions available to them," said Mark Steber, Vice President of Tax Resources at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "One point to remember is that certain military members who served, or are serving, in a combat zone receive an automatic extension to file their tax return and pay any tax debt. In essence, the April 15th deadline doesn't necessarily apply to those military taxpayers who were or are serving in a combat zone."

 

Military taxpayers can receive an automatic four-month extension to file a tax return by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Tax Return. Members of the military or naval service on an assigned tour of duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico qualify for an automatic extension of time until June 15, 2005 without filing Form 4868. However, when filing a return, "Taxpayer Abroad" must be written on the top of Form 1040 and a statement with the details of the taxpayer's time abroad must be attached to the return.

 

If the taxpayer serves in the Armed Forces in a combat zone, the deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for a refund and taking other actions with the IRS is automatically extended 180 days plus the days in a combat zone during the filing period (January 1 - April 15). The deadline for the IRS to take certain actions, such as collection and examination actions, is also extended. Additionally, if members of the Armed Forces are deployed overseas away from their permanent duty station in support of operations in a qualified hazardous duty area, but outside the qualified hazardous duty area, they also receive these extensions (but not other combat zone benefits). For example, if a military member enters a combat zone on December 1, 2004 and departed the zone on May 21, 2005. The deadline for the 2004 tax returns is March 2, 2006, which is 285 days after the military member left the combat zone. The automatic extension is 180 days plus 105 days in the filing period the taxpayer was in a combat zone (January 1- April 15).

 

Jackson Hewitt began its annual "Support Our Troops" campaign last year with its "Support Our Troops Banner Campaign," which placed over 4,900 banners in Jackson Hewitt office locations nationwide for employees, customers and area residents to sign with well wishes. The banners were then sent by the Army National Guard to troops around the world.

 

This year, as part of its continuing "Support Our Troops" campaign, Jackson Hewitt launched a national "Support Our Troops" Book Drive, running March 15 through April 15, at Jackson Hewitt locations nationwide. Books collected will be distributed by the Army National Guard to troops around the world. Jackson Hewitt also sponsored "Support Our Troops" Military Family Bowling events at seven military bases across the country.

 

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is the second largest tax preparation service company in the United States, with over 5,400 franchised and company-owned offices in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Specializing in electronic filing (IRS e-file), the Company provides full service, individual federal and state income tax preparation and facilitates related financial products. Most Jackson Hewitt offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information about the Company may be obtained by visiting the Company's Web site at www.jacksonhewitt.com. 

Contact

Allison Jackson

Senior Manager, Communications

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

973-496-7536

allison.jackson@jtax.com