WASHINGTON — Taxpayers and tax professionals
who filed for an extension can use e-file to file their 2004
tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.
The IRS expects some 10 million taxpayers to file after the
April 15 deadline. Among them are those who received an automatic
four-month filing extension to Aug. 15 and those granted an
additional two-month extension to Oct. 17 because of certain
hardships.
“Extension filers should take a few
minutes and look into the benefits of IRS e-file,“ said
IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “IRS e-file is the
preferred method for taxpayers who want their taxes done fast.
It’s accurate, secure and easy to use.”
E-file is also the best option for taxpayers
who need to file, but did not get an extension. E-file speeds
the return to the IRS, reducing penalty and interest amounts
for those who owe taxes
In addition to e-file, several private companies
participating in the Free File program will provide free return
preparation and e-filing services to eligible taxpayers through
mid-October. Almost all taxpayers qualify for Free File, which
is available on IRS.gov.
Aug. 15 is also the last time that TeleFile
can be used to file tax forms of any kind. The IRS is discontinuing
the TeleFile system — using a telephone to file basic
tax returns and extensions — because of declining use
and the growth of other electronic filing alternatives, such
as Free File.
Of the more than 126 million tax returns
filed through early July, more than 67 million were filed
electronically — 11 percent more than last year. Of those,
more than 5 million came through Free File, a 46 percent increase
from last year.
This year marks the first time that more
than half of all taxpayers filed electronically, with paper
filers now in the minority. More than 53 percent have filed
electronically so far this year.
Links (ed. IRS Web Site):
