IRS e-file has reached a major milestone as it passed the one billion mark
\nfor individual tax returns processed safely and securely since 1986.<\/p>\n
The Internal Revenue Service’s electronic filing program started as a pilot
\nproject in 1986 and became available nationally in 1990. Prior to the April 18
\ndeadline, IRS e-file passed another high point as more than 100 million
\nindividual tax returns were e-filed during the 2011 filing season.<\/p>\n
“IRS e-file is a good deal for taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Doug
\nShulman. “The one billion milestone means e-file has delivered real
\nservices to taxpayers, including faster refunds and more accurate tax returns.
\nAnd because an e-file return costs us 20 times less to process than a paper
\nreturn, this program means a more efficient government that has saved America’s
\ntaxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.”<\/p>\n
IRS e-file is an electronic transmission system that sends tax returns to
\nIRS processing centers. Taxpayers can e-file through their tax preparers,
\nthrough commercial software they use to prepare their own returns or through
\nFree File, the free tax software and e-file program offered through IRS.gov.<\/p>\n
Congress originally set an 80 percent goal for the electronic filing of
\nfederal tax and information returns back in 1998. E-file is now very close to
\nthat mark. Currently, more than 79 percent of taxpayers have used e-file to
\nsubmit their tax returns so far this year.<\/p>\n
In 2009, Congress passed another provision requiring tax preparers who file
\n10 or more tax returns to use e-file. IRS e-file has been steadily growing, but
\nthe new law, which the IRS is phasing in, brought a surge of e-filed returns
\nfor 2011. For this year, tax preparers who filed 100 or more returns were
\nrequired to e-file.<\/p>\n
For 2012, tax preparers who file 11 or more returns will be required to
\ne-file. The requirement should put the IRS within reach of its goal of 80
\npercent e-file rate for individual tax returns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IRS e-file has reached a major milestone as it passed the one billion mark for individual tax returns processed safely and securely since 1986. The Internal Revenue Service’s electronic filing program started as a pilot project in 1986 and became … Continue reading