Date: 2005-04-14
Less than 48 hours until tax deadline … Jackson Hewitt® offers last-minute tax resources to help taxpayers beat the deadline
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 14, 2005 - With millions of taxpayers scrambling to have their taxes prepared over the next 48 hours, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE: JTX) provides down-to- the-wire tips on how to make your tax preparation easier.
The most common mistake taxpayers make when rushing to file their tax return is overlooking deductions and credits. To ensure you don't miss those important tax items, Jackson Hewitt provides Deductions@Work on its website, www.jacksonhewitt.com. Deductions@Work provides a list of expense deductions and income treatments for the top 27 professions, including nurses, cashiers, laborers, salespersons, truck drivers, teachers, managers, and retirees.
In addition, taxpayers on the website will also find a step-by-step guide - Get Your Taxes Done Now - with everything you need to file your tax return, including how to find a Jackson Hewitt office and what to bring with you. In an effort to help filers avoid last-minute stress, Jackson Hewitt provides a quick checklist of important items that you'll need to bring to your tax preparer to get the job done in time:
- Wage Statements (Form W-2)
- Form 1099
- All Other Income
- Social Security Card(s)
- Driver's License(s)
- Dependents' Social Security Numbers & Dates of Birth
- Last Year's Federal & State Tax Returns
- Last Year's State Refund Amount (if applicable)
- Mortgage Interest Paid & Real Estate Taxes (Form 1098)
- Child Care Expenses & Provided Information (Social Security Number or Tax ID)
"It's important not to panic during this rush to beat the April 15 tax filing deadline," notes Mark Steber, Vice President of Tax Resources for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "Jackson Hewitt has additional staff, extended hours and more than 5,400 locations to help any taxpayer in need of tax filing assistance, including filing an extension, if necessary, but with our offices dedicated to staying open until the last customer is served, even up until midnight, we expect to help a lot of taxpayers get the job done."
For those taxpayers unable to meet the April 15th deadline, they can file an Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, also known as Form 4868, which extends the tax filing deadline by four months, until August 15th. If the additional four months is not enough time to have taxes prepared, another extension is available. Taxpayers can apply for a two-month extension beyond the four-month period by filing Form 2688, Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for an extension totaling six months. Applications for this extension must be approved by August 15. Taxpayers who electronically file Form 4868 or Form 2688 receive immediate approval from the IRS.
Talking to a tax professional will help taxpayers to assess any tax liability due as well as correctly file the extension forms.
About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
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 |