Want a Tax Refund Sooner? Jackson Hewitt(R) Reminds Taxpayers to File Early and Have Tax Preparer Use IRS e-file

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tomorrow – Friday, January 15 – the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting electronically filed 2009 tax returns with the season launch of IRS e-file.  Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® locations across the country are open to assist new and returning clients with filing accurately and obtaining their tax refund as soon as possible, if one is expected.  What's critical is for taxpayers to have a Form W-2 from each job they held in 2009.  Employers are now issuing these, and are required to send out all Form W-2s no later than February 1.  However, if a taxpayer has not received a hard-copy of their Form W-2 in the mail, they may be able to have their W-2 electronically downloaded for free at a nearby Jackson Hewitt location.

"Taxpayers often overlook two of the most important tax tips – to file early and to file electronically via IRS e-file.  Whether waiting for a mailed W-2 or obtaining it via W-2 download at a nearby Jackson Hewitt location, now is a great time for taxpayers to gather their documents and visit a tax preparer in order to file early," said Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.  "W-2 download allows taxpayers to file earlier by not having to wait until they receive a paper form through the mail.  And by using IRS e-file, which we refer to as 'IRS Direct' at Jackson Hewitt, tax filers can have their expected refund directly deposited to their bank account in just 8 to 15 days."

IRS e-file

According to the IRS, more than 67 percent of taxpayers electronically file via IRS e-file, with 95 million tax returns e-filed in 2009*.  IRS e-file provides filers with a number of benefits, including:

• Faster refunds – Taxpayers can receive an expected refund in half the time than if they were to prepare and mail a paper income tax return.
• Accuracy – IRS e-file helps to quickly identify mistakes, such as mathematical errors
• Speedy confirmation – E-filers receive notification that their return has been received within 48 hours.

And, at Jackson Hewitt, the IRS Direct (i.e. IRS e-file) option is free with paid tax preparation.

W-2 Download

W-2 Download is also available to Jackson Hewitt clients whose employers use ADP, TALX or CIC Plus to print their Form W-2s.  The download is done through a secure system that provides direct entry into Jackson Hewitt's proprietary tax software, allowing an electronic version of a taxpayer's Form W-2 to be used in the preparation of their income tax return.

"With W-2 Download, taxfilers do not have to wait for hardcopies in the mail; that's great news for those who want to file as early as possible and are expecting a refund," adds Steber.

* http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=214853,00.html  

Jackson Hewitt has several resources available for consumers at www.jacksonhewitt.com, including information on IRS Direct and W-2 Download. In addition to information on the new tax laws and changes, taxpayers will find a list of What to Bring to a tax preparation session, Tax Filing FAQ's and other helpful information.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with more than 6,000 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.