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I got a form in the mail today with an explanation letter that I must fill out an REQUEST FOR RESIDENT INCOME TAX RETURN WAIVER if I didn't file a Hawaii income tax return and I want to continue to receive the Homeowner's exemption.
Is this normal? I've filed an income tax form every year, so I'm not sure why I'm on this "list". I'm suspicious because they should know that I filed, so why spend the money on two pieces of paper, an envelope, and postage? And if this IS normal, why spend money on two pieces of paper, an envelope, and postage when they can just scrub the list against people who filed taxes?
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I got the same form today, and the letter attached says that as long as a state income tax return is filed, the taxpayer need do nothing. Those who don't file state income tax, but still wish to get the owner occupant exemption, have to fill out the form.
Edited to completely change previous lame post.
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question posted.....
"Is this normal? I've filed an income tax form every year, so I'm not sure why I'm on this "list".
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Aloha terracore,
The State could have been a little more clear with this letter (I too have received it).
Main points:
1. A change in Ordinance 14-135 will take effect Dec. 31 of this year.
2. Any claimant NOT FILING a State of Hawaii Income Tax return will be REQUIRED to fill out the Request For a Waiver.
3. IF YOU HAVE FILED OR WILL CONTINUE TO FILE A STATE OF HAWAII " RESIDENT " INCOME TAX RETURN.... " NO " RESPONSE IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.
(I'm #3 so I did not fill it out, will not be sending it in but kept it) Hope this helps!
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I got the letter, too. I'm #3, but the property tax stuff lists my husband first, and the income tax lists me first.
I think I'll file the form just so things don't get screwed up.
><(((*< ... ><(("< ... ><('< ... >o>
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I got the letter and form yesterday. I don't have them with me at the moment so can't check, but is the return envelope prepaid? If so, then since I'm a no. 3 I'll be returning the letter and (unfilled) form in the post so the property tax people can handle the recycling.
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Can one do both? ie Claim to be a resident yet file/ pay taxes in another state? if so I need to chat with my cpa - grin
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Claim to be a resident yet file/ pay taxes in another state?
"Resident" is more than 180 days/year in either case -- you can't really claim to be in both states more than half the time.
It's nice to see them pretend to close the loophole, too bad they won't go after the real money players.
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quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
Claim to be a resident yet file/ pay taxes in another state?"Resident" is more than 180 days/year in either case -- you can't really claim to be in both states more than half the time.
It's nice to see them pretend to close the loophole, too bad they won't go after the real money players.
The legal term is "primary residence". It is generally defined as living in a place for more than half the year. However, recent court decisions have decided the resident knows which residence is their primary residence. The implication is perjury.
This is not closing a loophole, it is tightening the noose around abuse. Everybody that has property is getting this. It is the county financial department establishing a reliable baseline for updating databases. Yeah, primary residence correlated to HELCO smart meter usage data, going to change some things around here.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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This is not closing a loophole, it is tightening the noose around abuse.
Difference in spelling notwithstanding, it's still targeting "small kine" landowners, not the "too big to tax" entities that aren't taking the "resident homeowner" exemption.
the county financial department establishing a reliable baseline
...and going it alone, because apparently State won't share the tax return data.
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Ok, thanks for the clarifications. I guess everybody is getting them.
Seems like a waste of money, paper, postage to send them to everybody instead of just the ones that didn't file income taxes last year. Could have saved some money.
