Jackson Hewitt(R) Extends Hours to Help Last Minute Tax Filers Meet the April 15 Deadline

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 13, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- JTX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The tax clock is ticking. With less than 72 hours left before the April 15 filing deadline, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) locations across the country are extending their hours to accommodate the last minute rush of taxpayers filing their income tax returns or an extension before the April 15 deadline. Last year the IRS reported that more than 27 million taxpayers waited until the final week to file an individual return.* Jackson Hewitt locations are staying open longer to accommodate last minute filers and ensure they have access to a knowledgeable tax preparer. Jackson Hewitt is also available to help taxpayers assess their tax liability and electronically file for an extension, should they need to.

"Millions of taxpayers will rush to file a return before midnight on April 15," said Mark Steber, vice president of tax resources at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R). "To help ease the anxiety of the last minute rush, Jackson Hewitt locations are committed to keeping their doors open until the last customer is served. With early openings and late closings, our preparers will be available to help taxpayers accurately file their return or an extension before the deadline."

To get started, filers should gather all documentation that is relevant to the 2008 tax year. A helpful checklist of important items to bring to a tax preparer is available at the "What to Bring" tab on the Jackson Hewitt Web site, http://www.jacksonhewitt.com. This checklist can help last minute filers get organized and ensure that they do not leave behind important documents that will help their preparer identify all of the credits and deductions they deserve.

    Some of the documents needed to file a return, include:
    -- Social Security Card(s)
    -- Driver's license(s)
    -- Dependents' Social Security numbers & dates of birth
    -- Wage statements - Form W-2
    -- Pension or retirement income - Form 1099-R
    -- State income tax refund amount - Form 1099-G
    -- Information on the sale of stocks or bonds - Form 1099-B
    -- Alimony paid or received
    -- Child care expenses & provider information
    -- Medical, eye care, and dental expenses
    -- Receipts or statements noting both cash and non-cash charitable
       donations
    -- Bill of sale showing the total sales tax paid for purchase of car, boat
       or plane
    -- Total tuition and fees paid - Form 1098-T
    -- Total student loan interest paid - Form 1098-E

If you owed taxes last year and paid by credit or debit card, you may be able to include the fees you paid when you made your payment. The IRS recently announced that taxpayers who used a credit or debit card to pay last year's taxes may be eligible to deduct the fees associated with the payment this year as part of their itemize deductions.

April 15 is also the deadline to file or amend individual income tax returns for tax year 2005. According to the IRS, there is still more than $1.3 billion in unclaimed refunds for people who have not filed a 2005 return**.

Also at the Jackson Hewitt Web site, taxpayers can find out about the hours of their local Jackson Hewitt office. To schedule an appointment, taxpayers can also call 1-800-234-1040. For additional information on new tax laws and a list of the most commonly overlooked credits and deductions, taxpayers are encouraged to visit the tax resources center at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/taxresourcecenter/.

* Internal Revenue Service, SOI Tax Stats - Filing Season Statistics / Taxpayer Usage Study, http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/article/0,,id=184855,00.html

**Internal Revenue Service, IRS Has $1.3 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2005 Tax Return, http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204931,00.html

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with approximately 6,600 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States during the 2009 tax season, is an industry leader providing full-service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. The Company is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

    Contact:

    Sara Garibaldi
    Ketchum (Public Relations)
    646-935-4097
    Sara.garibaldi@ketchum.com

    Ally Gellert
    Ketchum (Public Relations)
    646-935-3924
    Ally.gellert@ketchum.com

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

http://www.jacksonhewitt.com

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