Illinois Department of Revenue Announces 2008 as 1st Year 1st-Time Filers Can E-File

Revenue Launches New Web Page for 1st-Time Filers

[March 08, 2008]  URBANA -- Continuing with the Illinois Department of Revenue's goal to increase the ease, convenience and accuracy of filing individual income taxes, Director Brian Hamer joined officials and students from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to announce that the 2008 filing season is the first year that first-time filers can use Illinois electronic filing. The department also is launching a new part of their Web page devoted to helping first-time filers maneuver the state and federal tax filing process.

"Every year more and more taxpayers discover the ease and convenience of electronic filing," Hamer said. "For the next generation of taxpayers, filing electronically should be as natural as buying a CD on eBay, scheduling their classes on their school Web site or sending pictures to friends on Facebook. It is our goal to make sure that the first time they file their taxes they file electronically."

To inaugurate the first year that first-time filers can file electronically, the Department of Revenue launched a Web page that invites young people to file electronically, helps them organize their tax documents and answers frequently asked questions. The Web page answers questions such as: If I am a resident of Missouri but earned a paycheck in Illinois, do I have to file an Illinois tax return? In addition to having information for first-time filers, the Web page has a question-and-answer section aimed at undergraduate students, 80 percent of whom are working through college, according to a 2006 American Council on Education study. To visit the site, go to http://tax.illinois.gov/ and click on "First-Time Filers."

By filing electronically and direct-depositing their refund, taxpayers can get their Illinois refund in a week and their federal refund in 10 days. Last year more than 2.7 million taxpayers took advantage of filing their IL-1040 electronically, a 7 percent increase over 2006. In addition to making the filing process faster and more convenient for taxpayers, the e-filing option provides a significant cost savings to the state. In 2007, the Illinois Department of Revenue saved more than $3.7 million in tax processing costs.

"I encourage our students to take advantage of e-filing their tax returns," said C. Renée Romano, vice chancellor for student affairs. "E-filing is more efficient for both the students and the Department of Revenue, so it's a win-win. And refunds can be received much more quickly; I know students are interested in getting their refunds as soon as possible."

"It's great to hear that I will be able to file my taxes electronically because our generation is doing everything online. Filing online fits into the way we are doing things, and filing taxes will be much less daunting online," said Eujin Kwak, a junior majoring in accounting at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

[Text from Illinois Department of Revenue news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]