JELF FAQs for Individuals and Sole Proprietors
Q: Which State individual income tax returns can I file through JELF?
A: Only the N-11 and N-15 are available for filing through JELF. The only allowable attachments to your return are the Hawaii Schedule K-1 (Form N-20 and N-35), Schedule X, Schedule CR, N-158, N-210, N-312, N-334, N-334A, N-615, 1099R, 1099G, W-2G, and W-2. If you need to add other attachments, you must file a paper return.
The N-13 is unavailable through JELF. However, the N-13 can be filed alone using the Department of Taxation's own E-File system. For more information, see ELF State Tax Electronic Filing.
Q: How do I file both my federal and State individual income tax returns electronically?
A: You can either hire a paid tax preparer who offers electronic filing, or you can use a JELF-approved 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 will be filed at the same time.
Q: Can I use a commercial program to electronically file my individual tax return instead of a paid preparer?
A: Yes. There are several federal/state-approved commercial software programs that you can purchase as a CD or use on-line. For on-line filing, you may visit the JELF Approved Software page for a list of approved JELF Federal/State Income Tax Joint E-Filing software vendors.
Q: If I choose to electronically file my return on-line, 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. Can I still file my Hawaii return electronically?
A: Yes, you can. Beginning January 2009, Hawaii offers the option of electronically filing your N-11 or N-15 separate from your Federal returns. As with joint filing through JELF, you may use either a paid tax preparer who offers electronic filing, or you may use a JELF-approved software vendor.
The N-13 can be filed alone using the Department of Taxation's own E-File system. For more information, see ELF State Tax Electronic Filing.
Q: Do I have to mail anything to the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation after I electronically filed my return?
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 e-mailed to you for future reference.
Q: If I file my return electronically, can my income tax refund also be deposited to my bank account electronically?
A: Yes. You can have your tax refund electronically deposited directly into your bank account instead of receiving a paper check. Receiving your refund by direct deposit speeds up the time in which your refund becomes available to you by a week or so. At this time, both the N-11 and N-15 are available for directly deposited refunds.
Q: How long does it take to get my tax refund if I file electronically?
A: If you filed your tax return electronically through either a tax preparer who offers electronic filing or a JELF-approved software vendor, and if there are no errors on your tax return that would require manual review by the Department of Taxation staff, 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.
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, you can use this website link to check on the status of your refund: Looking For Your Individual Refund Status?
- You may also call Taxpayer Services at (808)587-4242 or toll-free at 1-800-222-3229 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: A: Hawaii accepts electronically-filed tax returns that have a balance due, but payments on the balance must be transmitted to the Department of Taxation separately. You may make a payment on-line using a credit card or electronic check by registering an E-File account at http://ehawaii.gov/efile.
If you wish to mail your payment to the Department, your check or money order 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 should 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. The voucher, and many other tax forms issued by the Department of Taxation, can be found by clicking on the "Forms" link in the table to the upper left of this page.
Q: What if I find a mistake on the return after it has been filed?
A: If you need to correct your original return, you must file an amended return on paper. Contact your local District Tax Office or the Taxpayer Services Call Center for information on how to file an amended return. Click here for information on contacting your District Office.
Q: Will I still get an income tax booklet or a postcard mailed to me next year?
A: If you filed a previous individual income tax return electronically, a tax booklet or postcard will not be mailed to you unless you request one. To request a tax booklet, you may call our Taxpayer Services Call Center at (808)587-4242, or reach them toll-free at 1-800-222-3229. You may also make an On-line Booklet Request.
Q: Can I file forms other than the N-11 and N-15 on-line?
A: Yes. Certain State tax forms are available for on-line filing through the State's E-File (ELF) system. Please see ELF State Tax Electronic Filing for more information.
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 first consult their customer service resources as they may be able to answer your question or resolve a software-specific issue for you. If it is not a software-specific issue, you can contact 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 State of Hawaii's JELF program.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Please download our TAX YEAR 2008 PUB EF-2 (PDF), 25 pages 137 KB, Handbook for Electronic Filers of Hawaii Individual Income Tax Returns.
JELF FAQs for Software Developers
Posted October 24, 2008: Please download our TAX YEAR 2008 PUB EF-1 (PDF), 118 pages 785 KB, File Specifications and Record Layouts for Individual Income Tax Returns.
Posted October 24, 2008: Please download our TAX YEAR 2008 PUB EF-3 (PDF), 302 pages 1.7 MB, Electronic Filing Test Package.
About PDF Files
All forms and instructions linked here are in Adobe PDF format.
To display and print them, you must have Adobe Reader installed.
Version 9.0 or higher is recommended. The G-45 and N-11 require Version 9.0 or higher.