Delaware Income Tax Deadlines Extended

The deadline for Delaware taxpayers to file and pay their 2020 personal income tax returns to both federal and state governments has been extended from April 15 to May 17. This extension does not apply to estimated tax payments made quarterly by individuals – those payments will still be due by April 30, 2021. Additionally, the deadline extension does not provide apply to corporate or fiduciary income tax returns.

Under Delaware law, the Director of the Division of Revenue has the ability to grant reasonable extensions of time for the payment of any tax or estimated tax when deemed appropriate. Considering the effects of the pandemic, Revenue Director Jennifer Noel has determined that it is appropriate to grant extensions similar to those recently granted by the Internal Revenue Service. Details are outlined in a new Tax Information Memorandum (TIM 2021-3) available on the agency website (https://revenue.delaware.gov).

As always, the Division of Revenue encourages taxpayers to file as soon as possible, once they have the necessary information required to do so. The payment deadline of May 17, 2021 will not be further extended, so taxpayers should note that penalties and interest on underpayments will be calculated from that date, even if you request additional time to file.

For more information, please call (302) 856-5358 or email DOR_PublicService@delaware.gov.


Delaware Personal Income Tax Season Begins January 29

Division of Revenue Director Jennifer R. Hudson has announced that the Delaware individual income tax season will begin on Monday, January 29, 2018, concurrently with the opening of the federal individual tax season announced by the IRS. While this is slightly later than previous years, the January 29 date was set to ensure the security and readiness of key tax processing systems, and to assess the potential impact of tax legislation on 2017 tax returns. Delaware will begin issuing income tax refunds on Monday, February 19, 2018. The State of Delaware will begin to accept business tax returns on January 16, 2018.

Tax Form

Electronic filing remains the fastest and safest way to file your personal income tax returns. Delaware will continue to offer taxpayers the opportunity to file for free through the Division of Revenue website. Delaware’s user-friendly system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and allows taxpayers to file their returns and schedule payments to be made closer to the April 30, 2018 deadline. You may pay your State of Delaware taxes using a credit card, or by debiting your bank account.

If you prefer to use tax-preparation software, you can electronically file your federal and state income tax returns for a fee. Many of these products also offer free-filing options for Delaware taxpayers who meet one of the following qualifications:

  • Those with adjusted gross income that is 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
  • Those who qualify for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Returns filed in hard copy are processed using a modernized system that identifies tax filings based on the return type. Any taxpayer who files a 2017 tax return using a prior-year return, or who modifies the paper return in some way, could experience significant delays. Paper tax returns will be available at local libraries, Revenue’s three public service offices, or via download at de.gov/17taxforms.

Delaware individual income tax returns will be due on or before April 30, 2018. It is important to remember that anyone who has worked in Delaware must file a Delaware tax return, even if they are not a Delaware resident. Similarly, Delaware residents who work in another state are required to file returns with Delaware in addition to the state in which they worked.
By law, Delaware employees should receive their W-2 forms from their employers no later than January 31, 2018 for any job worked during the 2017 calendar year. If you have not received a W-2 by January 31, 2018 please contact your employer.


Delaware Personal Income Tax Season Begins January 23

Division of Revenue Director Patrick T. Carter has announced that Delaware tax season will begin Monday, January 23, 2017. Citizens are encouraged to file their 2016 State of Delaware Personal Income Taxes online at www.delaware.gov. This year’s filing deadline is Monday, May 1, 2017.

During the last filing season, the State dealt with a surge of fraudulently filed personal income tax returns, and stopped over $9 million in fraudulent refunds from being issued. In order to better identify fraudulent returns, the Delaware Division of Revenue has created new methods of detecting and preventing fraudulent refunds. However, as a result, the first refunds will not be issued until after February 15, 2017.

This year, Delaware is also urging taxpayers to electronically file their returns. Online filing offers many advantages. Refunds from electronically filed returns are issued on average within 2 weeks, while refunds from paper-filed returns average over seven weeks. Last year, the average time to issue a refund for all tax filing methods combined was just over 20 days.

Delaware offers the following electronic filing options:

  1. 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 1st deadline. Taxpayers may pay their State of Delaware taxes on this system using a credit card or by debiting their bank account.
  2. Those who prefer tax-preparation software can electronically file their federal and state income tax returns for a fee, although these products also offer free-filing options for Delaware taxpayers who meet the following qualifications:
    • Adjusted gross income is 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 Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

For paper-filed returns, the State uses a modernized processing system that identifies tax filings based on the return type. Any taxpayer who files a 2016 tax return using a previous-year return, or who modifies the paper return in some way, will experience significant delays. Paper tax returns will be available at local libraries or for download at www.revenue.delaware.gov.

Because Delaware does not maintain reciprocity 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, 2017 for any job worked during the 2016 calendar year. Those who haven’t received a W-2 by January 31st should contact their employer.