Tax Commissioner Says Electronic Filings For 2007 Tax Year Surpass The Previous Year Within The Same Time Period 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Tax Commissioner Christopher G. Morris today announced an increase in personal income tax electronic filings, or e-filings, for the 2007 tax year as compared to the 2006 tax year.

As of March 12, 2008, more than 288,000 personal income tax returns have been received electronically. The previous tax year, by the same date, the State Tax Department had received just over 256,000 electronic returns.

"Electronic filing enables the State Tax Department to not only process individual claims at a quicker rate for the taxpayer," Morris said, "it also allows the state to save money." A paper income tax return costs the state about $2 to process. An electronic income tax return costs the state up to $.40.

"It is unclear if the increase in E-filings is due to the interest in the federal tax rebate program," Morris said, "because some West Virginia taxpayers do not have to file a state return in order to receive a federal rebate through the Internal Revenue Service. However, we are pleased to receive the thousands of returns prior to the April 15, 2008 deadline."

Paper income tax returns are also up considerably, thus far, as compared to the previous tax year. Currently, the state has processed more than 133,000 returns, compared to the previous tax year where, by the same date, the state had processed just over 113,000 returns.

"In addition to the increased early returns, more taxpayers are receiving refunds at higher amounts," Morris said. The average refund is $224, where in the previous tax year the average refund was $195.

Taxpayers can file their returns electronically by logging online to www.state.wv.us/taxdiv.

It is important to note, it is not necessary to file a West Virginia income tax return if a federal return is being filed only to receive the stimulus payment. This specifically applies to those who are not normally required to file a federal income tax return, such as low-income workers, Social Security recipients, certain railroad retirees and those who receive certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, they must file a federal return with the IRS this year in order to receive a tax rebate.

Additional information regarding the federal program can be found on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040.

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