IR-2004-25, Feb. 27, 2004 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service said today that electronic filing has shown a sharp increase for this year’s early filers. Through February 20, overall e-filing reached 29 million returns, an increase of more than 2 million, or 8 percent, over the same period last year. More than 6.6 million taxpayers have e-filed from their personal computers, a 23 percent increase. “E-filing is off to another good start,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “More and more taxpayers are discovering the benefits of e-file.” E-filing is fast, safe and accurate. By choosing to have their refunds deposited directly to a bank account, e-filers can have the money in two weeks or less. The early refund statistics show that: The IRS has certified 31.8 million refunds, an increase of 4.1 percent over the same time last year. The refunds total $72.8 billion, up from $66.9 billion. The average refund is up $97, to $2,292 — a 4.5 percent increase. Three out of four taxpayers receiving refunds had them deposited directly to their bank accounts. Direct deposit — the fastest, safest and most convenient way to get a refund — is available to all filers. 2004 Filing Season Statistics Cumulative through the week ending 2/21/03 and 2/20/04 2003 2004 Change Individual Income Tax Returns Total Receipts 39,078,000 40,110,000 2.6 % Total Processed 32,936,000 34,328,000 4.2 % E-filing Receipts: TOTAL 27,019,000 29,145,000 7.9 % TeleFile (phone) 2,509,000 2,330,000 - 7.1 % Computer 24,510,000 26,815,000 9.4 % Tax Professionals 19,121,000 20,184,000 5.6 % Self-prepared 5,389,000 6,631,000 23.0 % Tax Year 2003 Refunds Certified: Number 30,507,000 31,753,000 4.1 % Amount of Principal $66.948 billion $72.792 billion 8.7 % Average Refund $2,195 $2,292 4.5 % Direct Deposit Refunds: Number 22,470,000 24,195,000 7.7 % Amount $55.816 billion $61.892 billion 10.9 % Average $2,484 $2,558 3.0 % Subscribe to IRS Newswire
