State Continues Processing Returns – Taxpayers Urged to File

The Delaware Division of Revenue (DOR) today announced the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2019 Delaware personal income tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020. DOR and the Internal Revenue Service remain open, and taxpayers are encouraged to continue to file their state and federal returns electronically or by mail.

“Although the filing deadline has been extended, individuals are still urged to file as soon as possible,” said Director of Revenue Jennifer Hudson. “Filing electronically with direct deposit remains the fastest way to get your refund. Although we are operating with modified staffing arrangements to ensure the health and safety of our staff and customers, the Division of Revenue continues to operate in support of the State and its taxpayers. We are continuing to process tax returns and issue refunds.”

DOR’s public service windows are currently closed, but staff are available to respond to taxpayer questions by e-mail. Inquiries may be sent to any of the email addresses listed on our website. DOR staff will respond by e-mail or phone.

The filing deadline has been extended at a time when Governor John Carney has ordered all non-essential businesses to close in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Under Delaware law, the filing deadline for corporate income taxes is tied to the federal income tax due date which was recently extended to July 15, 2020. The Director of DOR has additional authority to grant reasonable extensions for other tax filings deemed to be appropriate. Under a Technical Information Memorandum 2020-01, DOR has also extended income tax filing deadlines for corporate final, corporate tentative, estimated personal income taxes, and fiduciary income taxes due in April to July 15, 2020. All other returns remain due without extension.

While DOR staff continue to process returns, some taxpayers with complex returns, filing errors, or paper submissions may experience delays. Taxpayers with questions about the status of their refund may use our online tool or e-mail DOR_PublicService@delaware.gov.

Individuals who are unable to meet the July 15 filing deadline may file an extension request online on or before July 15 at, by email to DOR_PublicService@delaware.gov, or through their tax preparer.

Taxpayers who have an outstanding balance and need assistance should contact DOR_Collections@delaware.gov. For additional information and updates about DOR’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, please visit our website.

With tax season well underway, Division of Revenue officials are noting an uptick in Delaware returns reporting overstated Delaware income tax withholding. The appropriate amount to report is limited to the total in Box 17 of the W-2 form provided by your employer (or the sum of those amounts if you have multiple employers), plus any state income tax withholding reported on a Form 1099-R.

Division of Revenue Director, Jennifer R. Hudson, Esq. noted “We are reviewing all returns that have overstated withholding, and they may be treated as fraudulent returns.”

Overstated withholding can be a sign of fraud, and returns with higher amounts than usual are being treated as suspicious. That means these returns will be pulled for review, extending the length of time required to process your return – and potentially delaying your refund.

If you have questions about the appropriate amounts to report, please contact the Division of Revenue Public Service area at 302-577-8200, or 1-800-292-7826.

The Delaware Division of Revenue would like to alert taxpayers to a new and growing scam involving fraudulent tax refunds being deposited into real taxpayer bank accounts. After the money is deposited, the crooks use various tactics to con taxpayers into turning over those funds.

How does it work? Thieves are using schemes, including phishing, to steal client data from tax professionals. They then use that data to file fraudulent tax returns, and use the taxpayers’ real bank accounts to deposit those tax refunds. Finally, the thieves pose as the IRS or other law enforcement representatives, call attention to the error, and ask taxpayers to return the money to them.

If you ever receive a refund that you are not expecting, call the Division of Revenue for more information. You can also check out the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft at IRS.gov to learn how to protect yourself from tax scams, where you can also find help with returning an erroneous refund.

The IRS warns that versions of this new scam may continue to evolve. If you think you’re being scammed, call the Delaware Division of Revenue’s Fraud Team at (302) 856-5358 for assistance.

Division of Revenue Director David Gregor has announced that Delaware tax season filing deadline this year is Monday, May 1, 2017. Citizens are encouraged to file their 2016 State of Delaware Personal Income Taxes or file an extension to Monday, October 16, 2017 by using our online services at www.delaware.gov.

Delaware urges taxpayers take advantage of online filing, with refunds from electronically filed returns being issued on average in less than nine days. Refunds from paper-filed returns average more than 14 days.

The following electronic filing options are available:

• 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.
• 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 2016 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, 2017 for any job worked during the 2016 calendar year. Those who haven’t received a W-2 by January 31 should contact their employer.

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.