The State Department of Taxation is encouraging do-it-yourself tax filers and taxpayers
who use tax practitioners to electronically file (e-file) their tax returns.
E-filing delivers greater accuracy,
requires less paperwork, provides electronic verification of filing, and generally results in faster refunds.
Taxpayers and tax practitioners can utilize the many avenues
of electronic filing offered by the Department of Taxation.
E-filing allows the State to
save on the cost of manually processing paper returns, requiring fewer seasonal hires during the tax
season, which saves the taxpayers money. E-filers also save on the cost and hassle of mailing their
returns, and they generally get their refunds faster.
Another benefit to taxpayers is the reduced error-rate on e-filed returns, which minimizes processing time
and delays. Most e-filers get their refund in about two to three weeks compared to four to six weeks for
those who file paper returns by mail.
In addition, the Department of Taxation will direct deposit refunds into a taxpayer-designated account,
further speeding receipt of the refund and eliminating any paper or a trip to the bank.
The Department takes taxpayers’ security and privacy very seriously and our website has numerous
security features to safeguard taxpayer information.
For example, to protect confidentiality, the e-filing
system does not allow the taxpayer to store any confidential information on his/her hard drive in the event
an unauthorized person gains access to the computer. In addition, account information is not saved as
part of the registration profile so information must be re-entered each time a tax payment is made.
With
these safeguards, taxpayers can feel safe and secure as they file and pay their returns electronically.
E-filing delivers greater accuracy with less paperwork and provides verification of returns filed with faster refunds.
”How do you e-file?”
You may file your N-11, Hawaii Resident Income tax return or the N-15, Hawaii Part-year or Nonresident
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: https://www.state.hi.us/tax/b2_3vendors.htm
There is a fee involved, so be sure to check with the vendor your select for details.
You may also file your N-13, Resident Income Return-Short Form, on our web site for free.
Just go to
https://www.ehawaiigov.org/efile/ and create an account. As soon as you are done you can file your N-13
on-line.
If you use this option, be sure to have completed a paper N-13 before you file, as our website will
not do any computations for you. You may even make a payment for any taxes due on-line for a nominal
transaction fee.
”Can businesses e-file?”
You can e-file your general excise/use tax, transient accommodations, and employer’s withholding tax
returns, with no charge. Go to: https://www.ehawaiigov.org/efile/. You may even pay your business taxes
using Electronic Funds Transfer (“EFT”). To use EFT, complete Form EFT-1, (available on our website
at: https://www.ehawaiigov.org/efile/), mail it in and the Department will mail you the information you need
to get started. You may also pay on-line using an electronic check or credit card.
”Are there any costs or fees to e-file?”
If you make a payment on-line, there is a nominal fee of $2.50 for each transaction. Payments can be
made using an electronic check or credit card, but credit card companies will charge an additional fee for
using a credit card. This charge is the responsibility of the taxpayers. Anyone making a payment on-line
should carefully check the total tax and fees being assessed before authorizing payment.
”What do you do if you have any questions about e-filing?”
For more information about e-filing, call the Department’s Taxpayer Service Branch at (808) 587-4242 or
toll-free at 1-800-222-3229. You may also contact us via e-mail at mailto:taxpayer.services@hawaii.gov
”’Kurt Kawafuchi is the director of the Hawaii state Department of Taxation.”’