JELF FAQs for Individuals and Sole Proprietors
Q: How do I file both my federal and State individual income tax return electronically?
A: Electronically filing of both your federal and State income tax return is only available for the N-11 and N-15 for the State of Hawaii.
There are two ways. You can either hire a paid tax preparer who offers electronic filing, or you can use an approved JELF Federal/State Income Tax Joint E-Filing software vendor over the Internet with your personal computer.
Regardless of which way you choose to file your joint return, your federal and State taxes are filed at the same time.
Filing a joint electronic federal and State income tax return is unavailable for the N-13. The N-13 can be filed separately without filing a separate return, see ELF State Tax Electronic Filing.
Q: Can I use a commercial program to electronically file my individual tax return?
A: Yes. There are several federal/state-approved commercial software programs that you can purchase as a CD or used online. For online filing, you may visit JELF Approved Software for the listing of approved JELF Federal/State Income Tax Joint E-Filing software vendors.
Q: Is there a way to file electronically without using a paid preparer?
A: Yes, you can file online using a personal computer. To file online, you would need to select a software vendor that is approved by the federal and State, and a listing can be located at: JELF Approved Software.
Q: Which State individual income tax returns can I file electronically?
A: There are two (2) Hawaii individual income tax returns that you may file electronically: Forms N-11 and N-15.
The N-11 and N-15 must be filed together with your federal income tax return through the JELF Federal/State Income Tax Joint E-Filing program using either commercially-purchased software or by filing online using one of the State-approved software vendors. The only allowable attachments to your return are the Schedule K-1, Schedule X, Schedule CR, N-158, N-210, N-312, N-334, N-334A, N-615, 1099R, 1099G, W-2G, and W-2. Otherwise, you must file a paper return.
Q: If I choose to electronically file my return online, what do I need to do?
A: Follow these basic steps:
- Select an on-line State-approved software vendor from the listing of approved JELF Federal/State Income Tax Joint E-Filing software vendors.
- Be prepared with all the necessary information to file both your federal and State income tax returns at the same time.
- Be prepared to pay a filing fee when you are ready to electronically transmit your federal and State tax returns.
- Keep the Acknowledgement of Receipt of electronic filing for your records.
Q: I have already filed my Federal tax return. How can I file my Hawaii return electronically?
A: For the Form N-11 or N-15, due to federal electronic filing requirements, you must file both your federal and state income tax returns at the same time.
For the N-13, the federal and State filings are independant. Electronic filing is available at: ELF login through the ELF State Tax Electronic Filing program.
Q: After I file electronically, what do I have to mail to the State of Hawaii Tax Department?
A: You do not need to mail anything to the Department. The data is electronically transmitted to the Department of Taxation when you file electronically. You must keep your W-2, 1099 and other tax forms for at least three additional years. You may also want to keep your Acknowledgement of Receipt that was emailed to you for future reference.
Q: If I file my return electronically, can my income tax refund be deposited to my bank account electronically also?
A: Yes, you can have your tax refund electronically deposited directly into your bank account instead of receiving a paper check. This direct deposit option also speeds up the time in which your refund becomes available to you by a week or so. At this time, only Form N-11 is available for refunds to be direct deposited into your bank account.
Q: How long does it take to get my tax refund if I filed electronically?
A: If you filed your tax return electronically through the channels we have available, you can expect your tax refund to be directly deposited into your bank account in approximately 1 week. If your tax refund is to be issued by paper check, you can expect to receive it in the mail in approximately 2 weeks. These timelines would apply to your refund provided that there are no errors on your tax return that would require manual review by the Department of Taxation staff.
Q: How can I check on the status of my refund?
A: Automated services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You should be prepared to provide your Social Security Number and the exact amount of the refund requested on your tax return.
- If you have not received your refund after four weeks, use this website link to check on the status of your refund: Looking For Your 2007 Individual Refund Status?
- If this is not convenient, you may call Taxpayer Services at (808)-587-4242 or toll-free at (800)-222-3229 and use the automated function on the interactive telephone system to check on the status of your refund.
Q: Does Hawaii accept electronically-filed returns if there is a payment due?
A: Yes.
Hawaii accepts electronically-filed tax returns with a balance due, but payments must be mailed in. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Hawaii State Tax Collector and sent to Hawaii Department of Taxation, P.O. Box 1530, Honolulu, Hawaii 96806-1530.
You may print a payment voucher, Form VP-1, to accompany your payment so that it can be applied to the correct tax type and tax year.
You may also make a payment online by credit card or electronic check through our website at ELF login by simply registering your profile.
Q: I lived in Hawaii for half of the year. Can I file my return electronically?
A: Yes, beginning January 2006, the Hawaii Department of Taxation has accepted Form N-15 (Hawaii Nonresident and Part-Year Resident) to be electronically filed via JELF (Federal/State Joint Electronic Filing) by both nonresidents as well as part-year residents of Hawaii.
Q: What if I find a mistake on the return after it's been filed?
A: If you need to correct your original return, you must file an amended return on paper. Call your local District Tax Office or the Taxpayer Services call center at the above number for information on how to file an amended return. Click here for information on contacting your District Office.
Q: Will I still get a income tax booklet or a postcard mailed to me next year?
A: If you file your 2007 individual income tax return electronically, a tax booklet or postcard will not be mailed to you next year. Based on our analysis of tax filers, electronic filers would normally not require the tax booklet of instructions and forms. However, you may call our Taxpayer Services Call Center at 808-587-4242 or toll-free at 800-222-3229 to request that a tax booklet be mailed to you.
Q: What about filing other returns and forms online?
A: See ELF State Tax Electronic Filing.
Q: If I still have more questions concerning electronic filing, who do I contact for further assistance?
A: If you have hired the services of a paid tax preparer or used a commercial program, you should consult their customer service resources as they may be able to answer your question or resolve an issue for you. In addition, you may call the Department of Taxation's Electronic Processing Section at (808) 587-1740 or send an e-mail to Tax.Efile@hawaii.gov.
JELF FAQs for Tax Professionals
Q: How do I register?
A: Electronic Return Originators and all transmitters that have been accepted into the IRS Federal/State program are automatically accepted into the program.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: January 9, 2008: Please download our TAX YEAR 2007 PUB EF-2 (PDF)ebiz/07pubef2.pdf, 99 KB, 25 pages, Handbook for Electronic Filers of Hawaii Individual Income Tax Returns.
JELF FAQs for Software Developers
November 7, 2007: Please download our TAX YEAR 2007 PUB EF-1 (PDF)ebiz/07pubef1_rev.pdf, (REVISED 11/07/07) 550 KB, 128 pages, File Specifications and Record Layouts for Individual Income Tax Returns.
November 20, 2007: Please download our TAX YEAR 2007 PUB EF-3 (PDF)ebiz/07pubef3_rev.pdf (REVISED 11/20/07) 6.1 MB, 256 pages, Electronic Filing Test Package.
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