PA State Income Tax Information in the Mail; Electronic Tax Filing Systems Now Available

PA State Income Tax Information in the Mail; Electronic Tax Filing Systems Now Available HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Gregory C. Fajt today announced that the Department of Revenue has mailed tax forms to the 5.6 million taxpayers who file state Personal Income Tax returns. The three primary state tax forms are the 2004 PA-40 Tax Booklet, the Fast File Booklet and the Payment Voucher Letter. The type of form taxpayers receive is based on how they filed their 2003 tax returns. Last year about 2.25 million taxpayers, or 40 percent of all taxpayers, filed their tax return electronically. "Taxpayers are encouraged to file their tax returns electronically," said Fajt. "It is the most cost-effective method of filing a tax return and gives taxpayers more options and advantages compared to filing a traditional paper return." Most taxpayers will not receive the traditional PA-40 tax booklet. Taxpayers who used the services of a tax preparer to file their return last year or filed using PA/IRS e-file software will receive a Payment Voucher Letter. About 3.8 million taxpayers will receive the letter that includes instructions and a voucher to mail with their check or money order if a payment is due. About 1.4 million taxpayers will receive the Fast File Booklet that includes instructions on filing taxes electronically and the TeleFile worksheet to use when filing over the telephone. About 402,000 taxpayers will receive the PA-40 Personal Income Tax Booklet containing the traditional "long form" to prepare and file taxes by paper. The Department offers two free electronic tax filing options: TeleFile (over the telephone) and pa.direct.file (over the Internet). These two services do not require a Department-assigned account number. If a taxpayer filed a return last year, his or her Social Security Number (SSN) and five- digit ZIP Code are all that is needed to file over the telephone with TeleFile. To file using pa.direct.file, taxpayers will need their SSN and one of the following: last year's tax liability or PA Driver's License Identification Number. Also available is the PA/IRS e-file service (available through tax preparers or authorized computer software) that allows taxpayers to file state and federal tax returns together or separately. Filing a tax return electronically gives taxpayers more options and advantages compared to filing a traditional paper return. Refunds from electronically filed returns are processed in about half of the time compared to a paper return. Also, refunds can be directly deposited into a checking or savings account. This option is not available with a paper return. The electronic filing systems perform math calculations, thus eliminating errors that can delay the processing of a return and/or refund. Plus, taxpayers receive instant confirmation that the Department has received their return. The Department's electronic filing systems are secure and protected with 128- bit encryption, the industry standard for online banking and trading. Taxpayers can download tax forms from the Department's Web site at http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/ and may call the toll-free, automated Forms Ordering Message Service at 1-800-362-2050 or visit one of the Department's district offices. Through the Revenue e-Services Center at http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/, taxpayers can file returns using pa.direct.file, make payments (including estimated payments), check the status of a return or refund, update information, pay taxes due by credit card, and access online customer service. Assistance is also available by calling the Taxpayer Service & Information Center at (717) 787-8201. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. CONTACT: Steve Kniley, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, +1-717-787-6960. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue CONTACT: Steve Kniley, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, +1-717-787-6960 Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/ http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment