Important Information On Tax Preparation Hawaii

By Harold Wagner


White sandy beaches, blue waters, and rugged landscapes are some of the features that make Hawaii the paradise favored by people of all walks and region. Its amazing features do not, however, assist with the tax preparation Hawaii procedures. Residing in the island means that you should be prepared to file federal and state income returns every year.

Living in paradise comes at a cost, and for Hawaii residents, this cost comes in the form of income state and federal tax returns. That is right; you have to file tax returns twice a year. While at it, you will also need to be prepared to deal with as many as twelve tax brackets when submitting your returns.

The twelve tax brackets have different rates which are enforced by the taxation department. The good news, however, is that there is a tax office in each county, making it easier to make inquiries on how to go about completing this process. The department also has a detailed web page listing everything you need to know about the filing process.

Compared to other states, Hawaii residents have some wiggle room when it comes to filing state returns. Once the Federal Tax Day has passed by, residents have until April 22 to ensure that they have submitted their tax returns. If for some reason a person is unable to file by this day, they can always contact the department and request for an extension.

If the department provides you with an extension, try and estimate the amount you owe in taxes by the April 20th deadline. Failure to pay taxes means that the department will penalize you and charge you and interest on the outstanding amount. It charges a 5% penalty for each additional month that you do not clear your balance.

Filing status tends to complicate the whole process of submitting the tax returns. Many are not sure what to expect when dealing with state and federal tax returns. But the good thing is that the statuses are the same for both state and federal income returns. You will encounter the same set of information on both forms. Information available on the forms pertains to marital status, whether you have kids, and whether you are filing alone or with a spouse.

As stated earlier, Hawaii uses a progressive tax system. Residents will, as such, fall into one of the 12 tax brackets defined by the state. The brackets are arrived at after calculating your taxable income and your filing status. If unsure about how to proceed, it is recommended that you seek the services of a tax expert, as these two factors can make the entire process more complicated.

E-filing services have been availed for any person who would like to file their returns electronically. The software is also available on the official taxation department website to guide you on how to go about submitting your returns. You may, however, be required to pay a small fee to use this software.




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