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Electronic filing is available for most individual
returns, and using electronic filing can have several advantages
for individual taxpayers. The main advantages of electronic
filing of individual tax returns are better accuracy than
is available with paper returns, IRS acknowledgment of receipt
of the return, and quicker refunds.
Returns filed electronically are more accurate
because senders are alerted within a day or two if there are
errors so they can correct them and re-transmit the return.
IRS also acknowledges that an electronically filed return
has been accepted. IRS creates an acknowledgment file for
each electronic return, which it can transmit back to the
return’s sender within two working days after the original
transmission. This acknowledgement provides some protection
should IRS later claim that it never received a return.
Taxpayers who file individual returns electronically
can apply their refunds to estimated tax, receive them by
check, have them directly deposited into an individual or
joint account, or use some combination of these options.
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Electronic filing is the quickest way to get
refunds. A taxpayer using it receives a refund in half the
time it takes with a paper return — even faster if Direct
Deposit is chosen. IRS doesn’t guarantee a specific date by
which a refund will be directly deposited into a taxpayer’s
account. But, to get the status of a refund while an electronically
filed return is being processed, a taxpayer can contact an
IRS district office serving the service center where the return
was electronically filed.
Balance due returns are also accepted for electronic
filing at all IRS service centers that accept electronically
filed returns. The balance due return is transmitted in the
same manner as a refund return. To pay the balance due on
the tax return, you can mail a check separately, authorize
a direct debit out of a checking or savings account, or charge
the balance due to a MasterCard, Discover Card, or American
Express Card by calling a special phone number or using the
Internet. One provider also accepts VISA credit cards for
payment by phone or on the Internet.
The fee for electronic filing is not based on
the amount of your refund. IRS rules prohibit basing a fee
for electronic filing of an individual return on the refund
amount or on any other amount from the return.
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