DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION
News Release
LINDA LINGLE
GOVERNOR
KURT KAWAFUCHI, DIRECTOR
Phone: (808) 587-1540
Fax: (808) 587-1560
For Immediate Release: April 11, 2003
EXTENSIONS OF DEADLINES AND OTHER TAX RELIEF FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, RESERVES,
AND HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD

HONOLULU - The State Department of Taxation today issued Tax Information Release (TIR) No. 2003-2 regarding tax relief available to members of the Armed Forces, reserves, and Hawaii National Guard serving on active duty.

Because of their service to the United States and the State of Hawaii, members of the Armed Forces, reserves, and Hawaii National Guard are granted tax relief. Most importantly, those serving in a combat zone as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom or other military operation, or in support of those combat operations, can set aside such tax matters as filing their Hawaii income tax returns and responding to tax notices until they leave the combat zone and have time to take care of them.

"The last thing those deployed in a combat zone should worry about is their Hawaii taxes," said State Tax Director Kurt Kawafuchi. "We want them to know that they can just focus on doing their jobs and returning home safely."

Among the tax relief measures available are the following:

Members of the Armed Forces, reserves, and Hawaii National Guard who are not in a combat zone also may be able to qualify for tax relief. Tax collection can be deferred if their ability to pay is materially impaired because of their military service, and interest limited to a maximum of 6% per year instead of the 8% usually charged on outstanding Hawaii tax liabilities.

Details of these and other forms of tax relief are provided in TIR No. 2003-2. TIR No. 2003-2 is available at any district tax office, by calling the Department's Forms Request Line at 587-7572 (toll-free from the neighbor islands and continental U.S. at 1-800-222-7572), and on the Department's website at www.hawaii.gov/tax.

For additional information and assistance, call the Department's Taxpayer Services Branch at 587-4242 (toll-free from the neighbor islands and continental U.S. at 1-800-222-3229), or e-mail them at taxpayer.services@hawaii.gov.

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For more information, contact:
Cathleen N. Tokishi 
External Training & Outreach
Phone: (808) 587-1786

Email: Team_TEACH@tax.state.hi.us

RELATED INFORMATION

TIR No. 2003-2