JTX Jackson Hewitt Tax Services

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This year has been very confusing for taxpayers, with numerous tax law changes, a filing deadline shift to April 18, and the most recent question regarding when taxpayers claiming itemized deductions on Schedule A can file.  Even with all these changes, Jackson Hewitt alerts all taxpayers that they don't need to wait, as they can come into any Jackson Hewitt® office today to get their tax returns prepared.

Many taxpayers have been hesitant to file because they weren't sure if they were affected by the various changes.  In reality, the only people who have to wait to have their return accepted by the IRS are those claiming itemized deductions on Schedule A, the higher education tuition and fees deduction on Form 8917, and/or the educator expenses deduction. However, even these returns can be prepared today, and submitted to the IRS directly by Jackson Hewitt on February 14.

"With the average tax refund approximately $3,000 and the IRS estimating that taxpayers spent an average of more than 21 hours preparing their 2009 tax return,* now is the time for hesitant taxpayers to come into an office to get their tax returns prepared," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "And with 9 out of 10** Jackson Hewitt clients receiving a refund, there's no reason to wait.  Even the taxpayers with itemized returns can visit an office today to prepare their taxes, and then have them put in queue for quick filing on Valentine's Day.  Jackson Hewitt locations will do this on the clients' behalf so they don't have to come back into the office."

Steber continued, "Last year was a very tough year for taxpayers and many of them could be eligible for a significant tax refund. To get assistance with their returns, they should get started now by meeting with a knowledgeable Jackson Hewitt tax preparer who can help them get every deduction and credit they deserve."

* http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040a/ar03.html

** Based on 2009 & 2010 Jackson Hewitt customers receiving a federal tax refund. Current year customer experience may be different. A taxpayer's refund eligibility is determined by his/her individual tax situation.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. 

Based in Parsippany, N.J., Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is an industry leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with franchised and company-owned office locations throughout the United States. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.jacksonhewittonline.com.  For more information, or to locate the Jackson Hewitt® office nearest to you, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040.  Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.