Friday, April 2, 2010
April 15 Tax Filing Deadline Approaching
The Tennessee Department of Revenue reminds Tennessee taxpayers that the individual income tax, commonly known as the Hall income tax, and franchise and excise taxes are due Thursday, April 15. Credit card payment and electronic filing options are available on the department's Web site, www.TN.gov/revenue.
“With the April 15 deadline right around the corner, I encourage all taxpayers to take advantage of our electronic filing and payment options," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "Filing electronically saves time and helps avoid costly errors."
Taxpayers can make credit card payments using the Department of Revenue’s secure electronic services accessible at www.TN.gov/revenue.
MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card are accepted and will be charged an associated 2.49 percent processing fee.
Online bill pay, professional privilege tax, individual income tax, sales tax and consumer use tax can also be paid by credit card via the department's Web site. The department is continuing work to expand this convenient payment option to other online services.
In order to assist taxpayers with electronic filing, the Department of Revenue provides computer access in its offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jackson, Johnson City, Memphis and Nashville.
The department also offers an electronic commerce hot line to assist taxpayers and tax practitioners at (866) 368-6374. Nashville-area and out-of-state callers should dial (615) 253-0704.
All taxpayer data, whether paper or electronic, filed with the Department of Revenue is confidential data protected under Tennessee law.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws.
The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department collected $10.2 billion in state taxes and fees.
In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance.
The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.TN.gov/revenue
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