Jackson Hewitt Offers Additional Extension Considerations Certain taxpayers in the military or in disaster areas are not affected by August 15th deadline

Jackson Hewitt Offers Additional Extension Considerations
Certain taxpayers in the military or in disaster areas are not affected by August 15th deadline
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug 10, 2005 — With less than a week to go before the August 15th deadline, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE: JTX) wants taxpayers to know that there are certain circumstances that qualify for an additional extension. Active duty military personnel and taxpayers in "Federal Disaster Areas" may receive extensions beyond the August 15th deadline.
Active Duty Military Personnel
Active duty members currently serving in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area, have a longer period of time to file their returns based on a formula that takes into account the length of their tour of duty and other factors. For example, if Joe arrived in Iraq on February 11, 2005 and left Iraq on August 5, 2005, he would have until April 6, 2006 to file his 2004 tax return. The additional 244-day extension is determined as follows: Joe is in the combat zone for 64 days during the filing season (February 11, 2005 to April 15, 2005). Plus, he receives an additional 180-day extension authorized by Congress for all members of the Armed Forces in a combat zone during the filing season. The extension period of 244 days begins the day after Joe leaves the combat zone (August 6, 2005).
Active duty members who filed an extension by April 15th and then enter a combat zone prior to August 15th receive an automatic 180-day extension in addition to the days remaining in the extension timeframe.
Taxpayers in Disaster Areas
Taxpayers in certain disaster areas may qualify for additional extensions. Disaster areas are declared by the President and include natural phenomenon such as: flooding, mudslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions or man-made phenomenon, such as the 9/11 disaster. For areas that are declared "Federal Disaster Areas" by Presidential order, the IRS publishes a notice authorizing an additional extension to file returns and pay taxes and estimates for all taxpayers in that area. The notice includes the details and duration of the postponement and the specific location of the covered disaster area. The IRS will not charge interest, late filing fees or late payment penalties that would normally apply during this grace period.
Currently the only active declared disaster is for Hurricane Dennis which the IRS announced on July 18, 2005. This Presidential Disaster Area includes Alabama's Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties and Florida's Bay, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloose, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla and Walton counties.
"The qualified taxpayers who were affected by Hurricane Dennis will receive special tax relief, including an extension through September 12, 2005, when they mark certain relief-related forms with 'Hurricane Dennis,' which is their appropriate disaster designation," said Mark Steber, Vice President of Tax Resources at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.
Taxpayers who have questions or are unsure about their specific situation, should seek the assistance of a professional tax preparer. The tax professionals at Jackson Hewitt are available to assist taxpayers with accurately preparing and filing their tax return. To locate an office near you and hours of operation, call 1-800-234-1040 or visit www.jacksonhewitt.com and use the Office Locator.
About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is the second largest tax preparation service company in the United States, with over 5,400 franchised and company-owned offices in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Specializing in electronic filing (IRS e-file), the Company provides full service, individual federal and state income tax preparation and facilitates related financial products. Most Jackson Hewitt offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information about the Company may be obtained by visiting the Company's Web site at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com.
SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Allison Jackson
Senior Manager, Communications of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
+1-973-496-7536, allison.jackson@jtax.com