2008 Tax Filing Season Sets Records

The Internal Revenue Service announced today the recently completed 2008 filing season set a series of records, highlighted by 70 million tax returns being filed electronically this year and home computer usage jumping 18 percent.

The jump in e-file reflected a larger increase in the use of electronic services. The IRS saw new records for in filings from home computers and the use of IRS.gov.

"We saw a surge of e-filing at the end of the tax season, particularly with people using software on home computers. Compared to recent years, we had much more e-filing in the weeks leading up to the deadline, signaling that more balance due filers are embracing this service," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "Overall, we received more tax returns electronically this year than the number of paper returns we processed for the entire United States in 1966. E-file is changing the way the nation does taxes."

"E-filing complemented the hard work of IRS workers, tax professionals and tax volunteers during the tax season," Everson said. "I'd like to thank these people for their hard work and dedication."

The 70 million e-file returns accepted through April 21 topped the 68.5 million electronic returns received for all of 2005. The agency expects the e-file number to increase before the close of the e-file season in October. Taxpayers who filed for extensions can use e-file until Oct. 16.

Through April 21, 2008, the IRS had received:

• 70 million returns through IRS e-file — up 6 percent from the same time last year.
• Almost 20 million taxpayers filed from a home computer — up 18 percent from the same time last year and almost 3 million more than for all of 2005. The IRS will continue to receive returns filed from home computers until October 16.
• 50 million returns from tax professionals, up 9 percent from the same period last year.

By April 21, the IRS had issued 85 million refunds averaging $2,237 per refund. More than 60 percent - 53 million - were issued through direct deposit, representing a 7 percent increase from last year. Direct deposit gets refunds to the taxpayer a week sooner than issuing a check.