Thursday 11 July 2019

Important Tips 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.

The state has a complex income tax system that comprises of a total of twelve tax brackets. The brackets are by far the most in the country. When you take into account the fact that the rates can go as high as 11 percent each year, it becomes apparent that tax preparation in this state is not as easy as catching a wave out on the expansive sea.

Taxes within the state are regulated by a single department. The Hawaii Department of Taxation has offices spread out in different counties in the state to make it easier for residents to file their returns. All taxes, including but not limited to income tax, property tax, and general excise tax are filed with this particular department.

Residents in the state have some breathing room after the expiry of the Federal Tax Day. However, you should make sure that you have filed your tax returns by the 22nd day of April each year. For those that are unable to file by this date, they can always request for an extension. The six-month extension is normally given to people who already owe the department back taxes.

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.

The filing statuses applied by the state are the same as those applied when filing state returns. Basically, what you will see in your federal returns is the same thing you can expect to see in the state returns. It will feature information such as head of household, single, married filing separately, married filing single, and qualifying widow or widower with dependent kids.

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.

The taxation department provides e-filing services for those looking to file individual income tax via its e-portal. You can also use a tax professional to file your federal and income tax returns or via the use of a tax preparation software. The software to use has been listed on the official departmental website.




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