1 week left in tax season

[April 20, 2010]  CHICAGO -- The Illinois Department of Revenue announced that electronic filing of individual tax returns is up 2 percent over last year, with just fewer than 2 million tax returns filed online so far this year. The total number of returns already filed is also higher than at the same time last year. Electronic filing and requesting direct deposit of refund payments reduces processing costs, provides better service for taxpayers and ensures quicker processing of refund payments.

Filing electronically also reduces the amount of paper used during tax season, and the energy used to print, mail and handle all of the paper. In terms of tax booklets alone, the electronic filing allowed the department to save printing and mailing of 55 million sheets of paper for 2010. And, since the average IL-1040 is three pages long, the 3.4 million returns filed electronically saved an additional 10 million sheets of paper.

Taxpayers can file electronically in one of three ways:

1. Web file -- Taxpayers can file for free at tax.illinois.gov.

2. Tax professionals -- Taxpayers can tell their tax preparer to file their return electronically.

3. Tax preparation packages -- Taxpayers who purchase a tax preparation package can file it online instead of printing and mailing a return.
   

All three methods will result in faster refunds and environmental benefits.

“I am pleased Illinoisans are finding our electronic services helpful,” said Brian Hamer, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. “In times like these when families are struggling, we need to do everything we can to get tax refunds to taxpayers quickly and easily.”

IDOR continues to encourage taxpayers to file electronically at tax.illinois.gov or ask about e-filing when they visit their tax preparer. Electronic filing is fast, easy and, by reducing the use of paper, is environmentally friendly.

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