Office of the State Treasurer

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Golden
April 7, 2004
(609) 984-7110
Treasury Provides Taxpayer Assistance
As April 15 Deadline Approaches

 TRENTON — State Treasurer John E. McCormac today reminded taxpayers that the deadline for submitting a New Jersey income tax return is Thursday, April 15, 2004. He also encouraged filers to avail themselves of the State’s convenient and user-friendly FastFile programs—NJ TeleFile, NJ WebFile, and NJ ELF, and to not forget to take full advantage of the Property Tax Deduction/Credit on resident returns.

 Taxpayers seeking assistance with the completion of their returns can contact the Division of Taxation’s Customer Service Center by calling (609) 292-6400 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of Good Friday, April 9, when the offices will be closed. They can also visit one of the Division of Taxation’s regional offices. Representatives will be working extended hours on April 15 in order to assist New Jersey taxpayers. The Customer Service Center and the Division’s Trenton regional office, located at 50 Barrack Street, will extend their hours of operation until 8 p.m. on April 15, while the other regional offices will remain open until 6 p.m. on that date.

Asbury Park.............................. 630 Bangs Avenue
Camden..................................... 2 Riverside Drive, One Port Center, Suite 200
Fair Lawn.................................. 2208 Rt. 208 South
Newark...................................... 124 Halsey Street, 2nd Floor
Northfield................................. 1915-A New Road (Rt. 9)
Somerville................................ 75 Veterans Memorial Drive East, Suite 103

 Division of Taxation staff members will be available at each regional office to answer questions, assist with return preparation, accept completed income tax forms, or provide blank forms. Directions to the regional offices are available on the Division’s Web site, www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ot1.htm.

 “The electronic-filing systems can be accessed from the convenience of your own home and often reduce the time we need to deliver your refund,” McCormac said. “This year we’ve made the process even easier by eliminating the New Jersey Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) that were previously needed. As a result, we’ve seen a 20-percent increase in the number of electronic filings to date this year.” Taxpayers who use one of the electronic filing methods can choose to have their refund deposited directly into their checking or savings account. Direct deposit is not available for those submitting paper returns.

 Treasurer McCormac also noted that homeowners and tenants who pay property taxes, either directly or through rent, on their principal residence in New Jersey are eligible for either a deduction or a refundable credit on their New Jersey resident income tax return. Qualified residents may deduct 100 percent of their property taxes due and paid or $10,000, whichever is less. For tenants, 18% of rent paid during the year is considered property taxes paid. The minimum benefit is a refundable credit of $50. “This program provides over $340 million in property tax relief, and its an integral part of a $1.3 billion direct relief effort that includes our rebate check programs,” he said.

 For taxpayers who are not able to file a New Jersey income tax return by April 15, an extension can be requested. However, at least 80 percent of an individual’s actual New Jersey income tax liability must be paid by the April 15 deadline. “While we can give taxpayers additional time to file their income tax returns, payment extensions are not permitted under the law,” said Division of Taxation Director Robert K. Thompson. Penalties and interest are imposed whenever tax is paid after the due date.

 The easiest way to request an extension is to file the application online through the Division of Taxation’s Web site, www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm. Requests for four-month extensions may be filed online until midnight on April 15. Anyone needing to make a payment in conjunction with an online extension request must do so by using the Division of Taxation’s electronic check system or with a credit card.

 Taxpayers may also request an extension by submitting a traditional paper Form NJ 630, Application for Extension of Time to File New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return. The application must be postmarked on or before April 15. Those who apply for an automatic extension of time to file their federal return may receive an extension for their New Jersey return by including a copy of the federal application when they submit their New Jersey income tax return, provided they meet all other requirements. Taxpayers who file for a Federal extension but also need to make a payment of New Jersey tax by the April 15 due date must submit Form NJ 630 with that payment or file and pay online.

 State tax payments can be made online by either electronic check (e-check) at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm or by credit card at www.officialpayments.com. Credit card payments can also be made by calling 1 800 2PAYTAX, toll free. There is a convenience fee of 2.5 percent paid directly to the Official Payments Corporation based on the amount of your tax payment.

 Attached is a list of important contacts for New Jersey taxpayer information and assistance.

New Jersey Taxpayer Information & Assistance
Customer Service Center.............................................................................609-292-6400
spacerSpeak directly to a representative for information and assistance on income tax, Monday
spacerthrough Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., except holidays
Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline.....................................................1-800-882-6597
Speak directly to a representative for information and assistance on the property tax reimbursement.
Paperless Filing:
spacer-NJ WebFile...........................................................................http://www.njfastfile.com
spacerFile State returns from our secure Internet site.
spacer-NJ TeleFile.................................................................1-888-235-FILE or 609-826-4448
spacerFile State returns using a Touch-tone telephone.
Taxation Web Site..............................................http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/
spacerTax information, forms, publications available online to Internet users.
E-check Payments Onlinespacerspacer http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm
Credit Card Payment.............................1-800-2PAYTAX or www.officialpayments.com
Make payments of 2003 income tax or 2004 estimated tax with a Visa, American Express, MasterCard or Discover/Novus credit card.
Automated Tax Information System (available 24 hours a day) :
spacerTouch-tone phones within NJ................................................................1-800-323-4400
spacerTouch-tone phones anywhere..................................................................609-826-4400
spacer-TaxTalk(recorded tax information)
spacer-ARIS (automated refund inquiry system)
spacer-Forms Request (request tax returns and publications)
TTY.................................................................................1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300
TTY equipment users can ask questions or order forms and publications. Leave a message and a Division representative will call you back through the Relay Service. The TTY toll-free service area includes New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland in addition to New Jersey
NJ TaxFax.....................................................................................................609-826-4500
Request facsimile State tax returns and publications.


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