HARRISBURG- A record 4.5 million 2011 personal income tax returns were filed electronically, according to the Department of Revenue.
The electronically filed returns represent roughly 75 percent of all returns filed to date. The state has received 7 percent more tax returns electronically so far this year compared to the total number of similarly filed returns last year.
“Electronic filing is the most cost-effective filing method, saving the state approximately $3.48 in processing costs per return,” Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser said. “This year’s growth in electronic filing resulted in savings of about $884,000 over last year.”
In addition to reducing costs and improving efficiency, electronic filing benefits taxpayers in several other ways. It offers advantages not available to taxpayers filing by paper, including error-reducing automatic calculators; instant confirmation of a successful filing; faster refund processing and direct deposit options.
Taxpayers who use e-file options may have refunds deposited directly into bank accounts or pay balances due electronically. This year, more than 969,000 taxpayers chose to directly deposit refunds; more than 327,000 filers paid taxes through electronic funds transfer; and more than 18,000 individuals paid state taxes by credit card.
For more information on electronic filing options, visit www.revenue.state.pa.us.
