The Division of Revenue has announced that Delaware is adopting the new federal filing deadline for reporting personal income tax being withheld by employers. Employer filing deadlines for paper Form W-3 or online submissions of W-2 information for 2016 will be due January 31, 2017, instead of February 28, 2017. These earlier deadlines are intended to aid government agencies in fighting identity theft and refund fraud. Due dates for 1099 submission are unchanged; February 28 for paper and March 31 for online submission.

The Division has begun outreach efforts to employers, including targeted mailings to those affected by the change. Employers are urged to update their records and adjust annual procedures to accommodate the new deadline.

To find paper reconciliation forms, or for a link to file the forms electronically, please visit www.revenue.delaware.gov.

The Division of Revenue would like to remind business owners with licenses expiring at the end of December that the most convenient way to renew your business license is by visiting revenue.delaware.gov, and renewing online. Any business whose Delaware business license expires December 31, 2016 may opt to renew online using a credit card, debit card, or via direct debit from your bank account. This convenient online service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Last year, over 65% of business owners used the online renewal service. Renewing a State of Delaware business license online is not only convenient, but it allows the taxpayer to print a temporary license directly from their computer – a benefit for any business requiring proof of a current license, such as contractors and businesses receiving government payments.

“Renewing a business license online is fast and secure,” says Division of Revenue Director Patrick Carter, “the online business license system is a tool that makes life easier for hundreds of Delaware businesses.”

To complete the online renewal, businesses will need their Tax ID Number and Business License Number. Business License Numbers can be found on your current license, or on the annual License Renewal Notice mailed to businesses by the Delaware Division of Revenue. Business renewing a license may elect a one or a three-year business license, decreasing future paperwork.

For more information on business licenses, please contact the business license department at (302) 577-8778 or BusTax@delaware.gov.

Statewide, DE – This year marks the 40th year in which the Delaware Division of Revenue, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, will bring Delaware tax preparers and professionals together for training through the Annual Federal and State Tax Institute.

Each year the Institute provides certified public accountants, tax preparers, and professionals with the training they need to remain current with tax rules and regulations. The goal of the Institute is to update, clarify, and explain federal and state tax law reporting requirements, as well as provide coverage of any new tax law developments. This year’s presenters include representatives from the IRS, the Delaware Division of Revenue, and the Maryland Revenue Administration Division.

“Our presenters bring years of experience and in-depth knowledge to their presentations, making complex tax issues easier to understand,” said Delaware Division of Revenue Director, Patrick Carter. “Attendees will leave feeling confident with their knowledge for the 2016 tax season.”

The Registration fee for the Tax Institute is $50.00, and includes all course materials, a continental breakfast, and a certificate of completion. Dates and locations are as follows:

• Mon., December 5, 2016 – Dover Downs Conference Center, Kent
• Tues., December 6, 2016 – Atlantic Sands Rehoboth Beach, Sussex
• Fri., December 9, 2016 – University of Delaware Clayton Hall, New Castle

CPE and CE credits will be available with complete attendance; no half or partial credits will be given. For more information, or to register, visit http://revenue.delaware.gov/calendar.shtml; call (302) 577-8681 or email christine.hambleton@delaware.gov; or call (302) 577-8688 or email carol.thomas@delaware.gov.

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Delaware Department of Finance
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov

Statewide, DE – Under the new Delaware Competes Act, the Division of Revenue has announced the first of what will become annual adjustments to filing thresholds for small businesses and employers. These threshold adjustments are intended to recognize small businesses’ unique challenges by simplifying compliance and potentially reducing filing frequencies.

The safe harbor provision for small businesses was enacted in 1984, but because the original qualification thresholds had not been adjusted in recent years, many small businesses no longer qualified. “Updating thresholds throughout Delaware’s tax code will reduce administrative and compliance costs for small businesses and the Division of Revenue alike,” said Department of Finance Deputy Secretary, David Gregor. “It also increases the tax code’s predictability and fairness for small businesses; cutting filing frequencies for roughly 1,000 small business gross receipts taxpayers and 2,000 small business withholding filers.”

As part of its annual notification process, the Division of Revenue will notify businesses and employers regarding their filing responsibilities for the upcoming year. The Delaware Competes Act also mandates that thresholds are subject to an annual inflation adjustment. As a consequence, the thresholds’ future effectiveness will not erode over time, and small businesses will continue to reap the Delaware Competes Act’s benefits for years to come.

New threshold information can be found by visiting the Division of Revenue web site at http://revenue.delaware.gov/services/Business_Tax/Threshold_Update_102016.pdf.

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Delaware Department of Finance
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov

Division of Revenue Director Patrick T. Carter has announced that Delaware tax season filing deadline this year is Monday, May 2, 2016. Citizens are encouraged to file their 2015 State of Delaware Personal Income Taxes or file an extension to Monday, October 17, 2016 by using our online services at www.delaware.gov.

Online filing offers many advantages, and Delaware urges taxpayers to electronically file their returns. Refunds from electronically filed returns are issued on average in less than nine days, while refunds from paper-filed returns average more than 14 days.

Delaware offers the following electronic filing options:

• Those who don’t need tax preparation software can file for free on the Delaware Division of Revenue website. This online system is extremely user-friendly and available 24/7. The system also allows taxpayers to file their returns and then schedule any payment due closer to the May 2nd deadline. Taxpayers may pay their State of Delaware taxes on this system using a credit card or by debiting their bank account.
• Those who prefer tax-preparation software can electronically file their federal and state income tax returns for a fee, though these products also offer free-filing options for Delaware taxpayers who meet the following qualifications:
  • Adjusted gross income less than the software’s established means criteria; or
  • Active-duty military with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less (including Reservists and National Guard); or
  • Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

For paper-filed returns, the State uses a modernized processing system that identifies tax filings based on the type of return, i.e. refund or balance due. Any taxpayer who files a 2015 tax return using a previous-year return, or who modifies the paper return in some way will experience significant delays. Paper tax returns are available for download at www.revenue.delaware.gov.

Because Delaware does not maintain reciprocal agreements with other states, it is important for anyone who is not a Delaware resident – but who has worked in Delaware – to understand that they must file a Delaware tax return. Delaware residents who work out-of-state are required to file returns with Delaware in addition to the state where they worked.

By law, Delaware employees should receive their W-2 employment forms by January 31, 2016 for any job worked during the 2015 calendar year. Those who haven’t received a W-2 by January 31 should contact their employer.

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Delaware Department of Finance
Division of Revenue
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov