Department of Taxation Offers Reminders as Tax Deadline Nears

The Department of Taxation is reminding the public that the Hawaiʻi individual income tax return is due Monday, April 22, and the deadline for the federal income tax return is on Monday, April 15.

Residents will need to file Form N-11, while non-residents will need to file Form N-15. Anyone who did business in Hawaiʻi will also need to file Form G-49, the Annual Return and Reconciliation of General Excise/Use Tax.

Anyone who is unable to file their individual income tax return by the April 22 deadline will be granted an automatic six-month extension. Anyone who is due a refund does not need to request an extension, and will only need to file their return by Oct. 20.

According to the department, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay for those who have a balance due. Residents must pay their taxes in full by the April 22 deadline and file Form N-101A with their tax payment. Anyone who owes taxes on their return and fails to pay by the deadline may accrue additional penalties and interest.

The department is encouraging the public to electronically file their tax returns, as taxpayers who e-file speed up processing time and receive their refunds faster than those who file by paper. Taxes may be e-filed for a fee with an approved commercial tax preparation software. Taxpayers may also e-file for free using the department’s tax filing system online.

Tax forms and instructions are available to view, download, and print on the departmentʻs website. Printed tax forms and instructions are available for pick up at all state tax offices. The public libraries also carry printed N-11 and N-15 forms in limited quantities and have printed N-11 instructions available for reference use only.

Anyone who already filed their individual income tax return may check the status of an expected refund online. The current processing times are two to four weeks for e-filed returns, four to six weeks for paper returns, and an additional 2 weeks processing time for paper refund checks.

The department is urging taxpayers to file their taxes accurately. Claiming income that was not earned, overstating deductions, and falsely claiming credits to fraudulently receive a larger refund or owe less tax is illegal. Taxpayers are encouraged to only claim what they have documentation to support.

The public is also being reminded to be wary of imposters claiming to be from the IRS or the Department of Taxation who use threats to intimidate people into paying them. These are not a part of government agency practices.