Numbers Growing for Electronic iFile Program

RICHMOND, Va., March 7, 2005 - Virginia taxpayers are finding a lot to like about iFile, the Department of Taxation's electronic filing service.  That's not hard to understand because iFile is easy to use, accurate, secure and free. By early March, more than 82,000 individual income tax returns had been received by the department through iFile, or about 23 percent more than last year at this time.  The Internet filing service became available in 2001 and its use has grown every year.  This year, the department anticipates receiving at least 200,000 returns through iFile. Filing tax returns electronically has a number of advantages for the taxpayer. "Not only does electronic filing make it easier for taxpayers to file their taxes, it also speeds up processing, cuts the error rate substantially, and gets refunds in the taxpayers' hands much sooner," said Commissioner Kenneth W. Thorson of the Department of Taxation.  In order to use iFile, a taxpayer must have previously filed taxes in Virginia -  either in paper or electronic form - anytime from 1999-2003.  There are a few other restrictions for using iFile, including not being able to file the following: Schedule CR (for most credits), a 760PY form for part-year residents, a 763 form for nonresidents, a 770 form for fiduciary income, or amended returns. Once taxpayers finish filing their taxes via iFile, they have the option of filling out an anonymous survey about their experience.  The vast majority of comments are positive.  Here is a sampling:  "This service is so easy to use!  It takes a lot of the stress out of filing taxes." "I was able not only to file my taxes on-line, but got information on past years' taxes, too." "It couldn't have been any easier.  Thanks for making our lives a little simpler!"