2.8 Million Taxpayers Have Already E-Filed With Three Weeks Left in Tax Season

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue announced that electronic filing of individual tax returns is up more than 12 percent over last year, with 2.8 million tax returns filed on-line so far this 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.  The department is projecting that over 4 million taxpayers, or around 70% will file their IL-1040 electronically in 2011.  Last year, about 62% of taxpayers filed their returns electronically.

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.  Since the average IL-1040 return is three pages long, four million returns filed electronically saves up to 12 million sheets of paper.

Taxpayers can file electronically in one of three ways:

• WebFile - Taxpayers can file for free at tax.illinois.gov
• Tax professionals - Taxpayers can tell their tax preparer to file their return electronically
• 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.

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

IDOR continues to encourage taxpayers to file electronically on its website 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.