Jackson Hewitt(R) Goes to Work to Give Construction Workers and Laborers Tax Savings

Construction workers, mechanics, welders, electricians, plumbers, truck and bus drivers, and other laborers need not break a sweat when it comes to filing their 2007 tax return. From April 8 through April 10, 2008, participating offices of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) are celebrating workers in these industries with a discount of $25 off tax preparation services. These customers can also take advantage of a personalized occupational review through the company's proprietary Deductions@Work(R) system, a unique tool that reviews many of the most common professions in the U.S. and notes all of the credits and deductions available for each.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Construction workers, mechanics, welders, electricians, plumbers, truck and bus drivers, and other laborers need not break a sweat when it comes to filing their 2007 tax return. From April 8 through April 10, 2008, participating offices of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) are celebrating workers in these industries with a discount of $25 off tax preparation services. These customers can also take advantage of a personalized occupational review through the company's proprietary Deductions@Work(R) system, a unique tool that reviews many of the most common professions in the U.S. and notes all of the credits and deductions available for each.

This special focus on construction workers and other laborers is part of a larger program launched by Jackson Hewitt to spotlight the Workforce of America now through the filing deadline of Tuesday, April 15. Other occupations already celebrated with two-day promotional periods include educators and students, and food service workers -- all with the goal of reminding all taxpayers of the many tax deductions specifically related to different types of employment.

"Workers who perform a construction or related trade may not realize that many of the expenses that come with the normal work can prove beneficial when tax time comes around," explains Mark Steber, vice president of Tax Resources, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "Our extensive network of knowledgeable tax preparers can help them, and everyone else in America's workforce, understand nuances in the tax code to claim the appropriate deductions and credits that are available to them."

Following are some of the tax considerations for construction workers and laborers to keep in mind when they file:

-- There are numerous deductions that may apply to those working in these
positions (if expenses are unreimbursed), including: subscriptions to
trade journals related to work; dues for trade associations or unions;
insurance premiums for protection against liability or wrongful acts;
specialized equipment or tools that are replaceable within one year;
safety equipment such as steel-toed shoes or boots; and the cost and
upkeep of uniforms not suitable for everyday wear (for example,
specialized coveralls, hard hat, work gloves, safety shoes, and goggles
not considered "street wear").

-- Those who perform a trade, such as painters, welders, plumbers or other
laborers, may be self-employed or may own their own businesses, or they
may provide trade services outside of or in addition to their regular
jobs. Payments received for this work may be considered income from
self-employment and reportable on Schedule C, Profit or Loss from
Business. For example, if a tradesman installs an overhead fan in a
home or provides backyard wiring as an additional job, this would be
considered self-employed income. You may account for the income
amounts yourself or you may receive a Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous
Income.

-- If someone is self-employed with net earnings of $400 or more, he or
she must pay self-employment tax on the income reported on Schedule C.
In addition, that person may need to make estimated payments to cover
the amount of self-employment tax or income tax associated with the
income reported on Schedule C.

-- Construction workers and other laborers may be able to deduct job
hunting expenses incurred while temporarily unemployed, as long as a
new job is in the same field of work. Holding odd jobs during the
period of temporary unemployment does not disqualify an individual from
deducting job hunting expenses.

As the tax deadline approaches, Jackson Hewitt offices will be open extended hours -- some until midnight and even 24-hours during the final days before April 15 -- to help America's Workforce prepare and file their income tax return and capture all of the job-related deductions and credits available to them. For a partial list of occupations profiled and to review some of the most commonly overlooked deductions, visit the Tax Resource Center at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE:JTX) , with approximately 6,800 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States during the 2008 tax season, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. The Company is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.