35 Million Returns Filed Electronically

Taxpayers dramatically increased their use of computers, credit cards and direct bank deposits during this year’s income tax filing season, in which 35 million returns were filed electronically with the Internal Revenue Service. But getting through by telephone to the IRS remained a problem. Almost four in 10 calls went unanswered, even though the lines were open 24 hours, seven days a week, according to IRS statistics. The 35 million electronic returns--most of them filed by professional preparers--were 1.4 million more than the IRS had expected and a 20% increase over last year. Electronically filed returns now make up 27% of the total. About 7 million taxpayers used the electronic signature option, including 1.4 million who did their own returns. There was a 200% increase in the number of people who paid taxes through direct debits from bank accounts and 25% more people had their refunds deposited directly, the IRS said.