Office of the State Treasurer

TRENTON -- State Treasurer John E. McCormac today reminded taxpayers that the deadline to file a New Jersey tax return is Friday, April 15, 2005. He also encouraged taxpayers who have not yet submitted returns to try one of the easy to use NJ FastFile Programs -- NJ TeleFile, NJ WebFile or NJ ELF to file their State taxes.

So far, more than 1.3 million income tax returns for tax year 2004 have been filed electronically, which represents a 40 percent increase over the number filed electronically by this time last year.

“The best way to ensure you will get your refund quickly is to file electronically,” said McCormac. “In addition, if you file electronically you get the option of having your refund directly deposited into your bank account.”

Taxpayers in need of assistance completing their returns may 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. They may also visit one of the Division’s Regional Offices, which are located throughout the State. The Customer Service Center and the Trenton regional office, located in the Taxation Building at 50 Barrack Street, will extend their hours of operation until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2005. The Division’s other regional offices will remain open until 6 p.m. on that night.

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

The Treasurer also reminded taxpayers who owe additional tax not to overlook the advantages of electronic payments. “You can file now and pay at any time until midnight on April 15th,” McCormac said. New Jersey’s electronic payment methods include electronic check (e-check) and credit card. There is a credit card convenience fee of 2.5% paid directly to Official Payments Corporation based on the amount of the tax payment.

Taxpayers who need more time to file their return can apply for a four-month extension online at the Division of Taxation’s Web site until midnight on April 15, 2005 -- at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm However, at least 80 percent of a filer’s actual New Jersey income tax must be paid by April 15 in order to receive an extension. Payments due with the online extension must be made by electronic check or credit card.

Taxpayers may also request an extension by filing a traditional paper form, Form NJ-630, Application for Extension of Time to File New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return, which can be printed from Taxation’s Web site. Mailed extension applications must be postmarked on or before April 15. Taxpayers 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.

“While taxpayers will be given additional time to file their income tax returns, extensions of time to pay the tax due are not permitted,” said Robert K. Thompson,
Director of the New Jersey Division of Taxation. “Penalties and interest are imposed whenever tax is paid after the due date.”

Below is a list of contacts for New Jersey taxpayer information and assistance:

New Jersey Taxpayer Information & Assistance Customer Service Center.................................................................................609-292-6400 Speak directly to a representative for income tax information and assistance, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except holidays Division of Taxation Web Site...................................... www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ Electronic Filing • NJ WebFile.................................................................................. www.njfastfile.com • NJ TeleFile 1-888-235-FILE (3453)* or 609-826-4448 File State returns using a Touch-tone telephone Electronic Payments Make payments of 2004 income tax or 2005 estimated tax by e-check or credit card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover) • Online www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/online.htm • Phone E-check............................................................................................ 609-292-6400 Credit Card.....................................................................................1-800-2PAYTAX Earned Income Tax Credit Hotline.............................................................. 1-888-895-9179* TTY Equipment Users......................................................... 1-800-286-6613* or 609-984-7300 Ask questions or order forms and/or publications Automated Tax Information System.................................. 1-800-323-4400* or 609-826-4400 Touch-tone phone information and assistance including: refund inquiries, recorded tax information, and a forms/publications request system NJ TaxFax...................................................................................................... 609-826-4500 Request facsimile State tax returns and publications Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) Hotline............................... 1-800-882-6597* Speak directly to a representative for property tax reimbursement information and assistance, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except holidays _____________________________________ * Toll-free within NJ, NY, PA, DE, and MD