Illinois taxpayers file electronic tax returns in record numbers      

[MARCH 9, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- A record number of Illinois taxpayers have filed their Illinois tax returns electronically this year. To date 1.5 million taxpayers have used one of the department's three electronic filing options, including:

• 1.1 million who filed through a tax preparer, an increase of 5.6 percent

• 140,000 who used the department's free WebFile program, an increase of 13.9 percent.

• 212,000 who used tax preparation software to file online.

"We've set out to make it easier for taxpayers to meet their tax obligations," said Illinois Department of Revenue Director Brian Hamer. "Electronic filing gives taxpayers an easy way to file and a fast way to get their refunds."

Electronic filing offers a number of advantages to taxpayers, including fast payment of refunds, reduced errors, the security of electronic transmission and confirmation of filing.

• Fast -- To date, six out of 10 electronic filers have had their refunds deposited directly in their bank account, giving them their refunds in a week.

• Accurate -- Computer checks reduce the errors contained on returns, and because the information flows from computer to computer there are no missing attachments and no mis-keyed data.

• Safe -- Electronic returns come securely to the department with no danger of being lost in the mail or of refund checks being stolen.

• Confirmed -- Each electronic filer gets a confirmation number to prove filing, without the need to use expensive certified mail.

"I encourage all taxpayers [to] join their friends and neighbors who already enjoy the benefits of electronic filing," Hamer said. "It's good for them, and it saves us money spent handling paper returns."

[Illinois Department of Revenue news release]

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