Be careful out there.
Some of the tax instructions and worksheets the state publishes to help people complete their tax returns have errors and could throw off calculations. At last count, the state had found 17 boo-boos - more than what typically slips through each year.
The increase primarily was because this is the first year the state is using its simplified, one-page tax form (N-11), according to Frank Ruff, an income tax specialist at the Department of Taxation. Many of the mistakes are in the N-11 instructions or worksheets.
"We tried to catch as many as we could ... but some slipped by," he said.
People likely will be able to spot the errors because they are fairly obvious or the instructions won't make sense, Ruff said.
Still, if someone underpays a tax bill because of the erroneous instructions, the taxpayer won't be penalized but may be charged interest on the balance, said June Yamamoto, the agency's taxpayer services branch chief.
Yamamoto recommended that if a taxpayer is confused by any of the instructions or forms - especially the new N-11 - to call the department at 587-4242 or 587-6515. The phones are staffed during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays).
If you're due a refund and you file on time, your check should arrive by July 15, Yamamoto said.