ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Monday, March 31, 2008) Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his office received its 1 millionth electronically filed personal income tax return this year from a former teacher and Baltimore City resident.
The taxpayer, Edith Thompson, 62, is a retired home economics teacher who has been electronically filing her tax returns since 1998. She filed her return on Wednesday and requested the refund be direct deposited to her bank account. As a result of choosing this option, the refund was sent to taxpayer's bank this morning for posting to her account.
“Taxpayers are discovering the ease, quickness and safety of electronic filing," said Comptroller Franchot. “Try it this year and you'll never go back to any other method again."
"The process was simple," Thompson said. "I was thrilled to learn I was getting a refund," she added.
E-filing also saves the state money through reductions in processing costs. "The state has saved more than $14 million through electronic filing," Comptroller Franchot said. "In these lean budget times, efiling is more important than ever," he added.
Taxpayers can electronically file their return by going to a paid preparer, using commercial tax software or using the Comptroller's free internet tax filing system, iFile. More than nine million taxpayers have e-filed since the program started in the 1990s.
Taxpayers who want to check on the status of their refund should visit the agency's online refund status service at www.marylandtaxes.com. Be sure to have a copy of the return on hand to verify information.
This year, tax filers who owe money can delay paying their bill for nearly two weeks after the April 15 deadline if they electronically file by the deadline and choose direct debit. These taxpayers can schedule their payment to be withdrawn anytime until April 30.
Additionally, taxpayers filing electronically should not file a paper copy as proof of filing. If filing by paper, taxpayers should include all W2's and 1099's that show evidence of withholding, or else credit will not be given for those items.
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Contact: Christine Duray, 410-260-6346 (office), 410-353-2862 (cell)
