CCH Whole Ball of Tax 2004
CCH Outlines E-Filing Options as More Taxpayers File Electronically
(RIVERWOODS, ILL., January 2004) – With dozens of significant changes along
with continued tweaking of the Internal Revenue Code throughout 2003, it’s likely
that the trend toward more Americans surrendering their pen and pencil to the
computer and Internet will continue, according to CCH INCORPORATED (CCH), a
leading provider of tax law information and software.
Adding to the sheer complexity this year is that many individuals did not have
their withholdings adjusted during 2003 to reflect the lower tax brackets. As
a result, more taxpayers also may be the recipients of larger refunds come this
spring. This also could drive more to e-filing as refunds from e-filed returns
are received in about half the time required for mailed returns, even faster
for taxpayers authorizing the IRS to electronically deposit returns into their
bank account.
In fact, of the nearly 131 million individual income tax returns filed during
calendar year 2002, 36 percent used some form of electronic filing, up from
32 percent the year earlier, based on IRS data. The most significant increase
was among do-it-yourself online e-filers. However, most taxpayers still rely
on professional tax preparers for e-filing.
"As people become more familiar with electronic transactions, ranging
from ATM cards to online banking, they’re realizing the ease-of-use and time-savings
benefits such transactions provide. When it comes to taxes, whether they file
online themselves or complete electronic workbooks provided by their tax preparer,
they’re seeing it’s faster and easier to get help than to go it alone,"
said Kevin Robert, president of the CCH tax and accounting unit that developed
CompleteTax, (www.completetax.com)
online tax preparation and filing service for consumers, and ProSystem fx
Tax, the market-leading software for tax professionals.
Here’s an overview of some of the options for taxpayers.
Professional Tax Preparers
Seven out of 10 taxpayers who e-file, or about 33 million, do so through professional
tax preparers.
Individuals can have a tax preparer both prepare and e-file their returns.
Having the professional also prepare the returns means they’ll likely be there
should an issue arise with the return, for example, identifying and fixing a
problem if the return is rejected or being available to respond to IRS inquiries.
Those choosing just to have the professional e-file should not take for granted
that they’ll receive this additional support. The IRS provides a ZIP-code enabled
program to locate Authorized IRS e-file Providers on its site.
Online Filing
The most significant increase in e-filing was among do-it-yourself online electronic
filers, which saw an increase of about 2.5 million taxpayers going online from
calendar year 2001 to 2002. This group now accounts for two out of every 10
electronic returns filed. These do-it-yourself taxpayers use either online programs
that can be accessed via the Internet to prepare and file their returns for
a fee or software programs they must load onto their computers.
Continued growth in e-filing is expected in part thanks to a recent agreement
between the IRS and the Free Filing Alliance, a group of software companies,
which is making available free online tax preparation and electronic filing
to at least 60 percent of all individual taxpayers — about 78 million people.
Each alliance member determines which taxpayers to serve, with most setting
specific criteria, such as offering services to those below a certain income
level.
"Just as individuals will evaluate their tax preparer to make sure they’re
comfortable with the services they offer and their credentials, they need to
closely evaluate any tax program to make sure it meets their needs," said
Robert. "You want to make certain it has the features you require but without
unnecessary bells and whistles that add complexity and cost."
Taxpayers should check the costs closely, as advertised prices may only be
for a certain form, for example, the federal tax return, while added fees may
apply for state returns or other forms. The IRS provides details on software
companies participating in its e-file program at http://www.irs.gov/efile
starting in mid-January.
TeleFiling
This was the only e-filing method to experience a decline in usage with about
5 percent fewer individuals electing to TeleFile in the 2002 calendar year.
The IRS TeleFile program allows taxpayers to electronically file their return
over a touch-tone phone via a toll-free number. However, to be eligible the
taxpayer must have filed a return in the previous year that met the filing requirements
for Form 1040EZ.
Adding E-Payment and E-Deposit to E-Filing
In addition to filing electronically, taxpayers also can arrange for direct
deposit of a refund or direct withdrawal if they owe additional taxes. Direct
deposit further speeds tax refunds. For example, it generally takes about three
weeks for a taxpayer to receive a paper check after e-filing a return. With
direct deposit, a taxpayer should expect a refund deposited in his or her savings
or checking account within two weeks. Those who owe money and also e-file early
can designate an exact date in the future – as late as April 15 – on which the
IRS can take a direct withdrawal from their savings.
CCH E-filing Resources
CCH Tax Compliance is an IRS e-file partner, offering individuals and sole
proprietors fast, easy online tax preparation and filing via CompleteTax
(www.completetax.com). CCH Tax
Compliance also is a member of the Free File Alliance. More information on its
online services under this program is available at www.irs.ov
or www.firstgov.gov.
CCH GainsKeeper (www.gainskeeper.com)
also is an IRS e-file partner, offering both individuals and their advisors
help in completing complex calculations related to capital gains, adjusting
portfolios for wash sales and corporate actions.
About CCH INCORPORATED
CCH INCORPORATED, headquartered in Riverwoods, Ill., was founded in
1913 and has served more than four generations of business professionals and
their clients. The company produces more than 700 electronic and print products
for the tax, accounting, legal, securities and small business markets. CCH is
a Wolters Kluwer company. The CCH Federal and State Tax group, CCH Tax Compliance
and Aspen Publishers Tax and Accounting group comprise the new Wolters Kluwer
Tax and Accounting unit. The unit’s web site can be accessed at tax.cchgroup.com.
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