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.


Mark Your Calendar: Delaware Changes Filing Deadlines For Employers

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.


Delaware Personal Income Tax Returns Due May 2, 2016

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


Delaware Personal Income Tax Season Begins January 19

Division of Revenue Director Patrick T. Carter has announced that Delaware tax season will begin Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Citizens are encouraged to file their 2015 State of Delaware Personal Income Taxes online at www.delaware.gov. This year’s filing deadline is Monday, May 2, 2016. Online filing offers many advantages, and Delaware urges taxpayers to electronically file their returns. 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 2nd 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 2015 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, 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.

 

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