January 20, 2012
E-Filing Saves Time and
Money
Tax season. Some
individuals excitedly await
this time of year, making
plans for a nice tax refund
that they look forward to
receiving. Others cross
their fingers and hope that
they will not end up owing
money on their taxes. Still
other individuals groan at
the thought of getting all
their tax information
together and taking the time
to go through and file all
their taxes.
Since 1999, Wisconsin tax
filers have had the option
to pay their taxes online.
To make things even easier
for tax filers, the state’s
Department of Revenue has an
online e-file system that
allows tax filers to file
their tax returns in an easy
manner on-line, as a way to
not only save money but also
to get your refund money
faster. E-File is an
on-line, fill-in-the-blank
personal income tax return
that can be filed from the
DOR Web site. There is no
charge for using the
service, and all tax
information is secure and
confidential.
This free electronic tax
filing option offered to
taxpayers is even available
to residents filing for the
Homestead Credit, as well as
tax preparers.
Electronically filed tax
returns are processed and
refunds sent out in one
week, no matter when the tax
return is filed. By
contrast, taxpayers filing
paper forms near the April
15th deadline
last year had to wait up to
twelve weeks for their
refunds.
To take advantage of the
e-File program, navigate to
the DOR Web site at:
www.revenue.wi.gov
From there, on the bottom
left-hand corner, you will
find the red and black
e-File logo, which is a link
you can click to begin
preparing your forms.
First-time filers or
taxpayers claiming certain
credits, or filing some
schedules may be ineligible
to use the program.
In addition to the speed of
the refund, electronic
filing walks you through the
tax form and does the math
for you, provides immediate
confirmation your return has
been received, and offers an
option to have your refund
deposited electronically
into your bank account.
Electronically filed returns
are also more accurate than
standard paper forms, and
most importantly, saves both
you and the state money and
resources.
If you need assistance
filing your taxes, and find
yourself in a tight economic
situation, you may be
eligible for the Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
program. VITA sites are
available to provide free
tax preparation assistance
around the state. Taxpayers
can visit any VITA tax
preparation site and have
their taxes electronically
prepared for free. For more
information about VITA,
check the DOR web site at:
www.revenue.wi.gov and
click on ‘Free tax help’, or
call 211 to find a VITA or
Tax Counseling for the
Elderly site in your area.
Most VITA sites are open
from February 1 to April
15th.
Electronic filing is another
way that state government
makes things more efficient
and responsive for the
people of Wisconsin.
E-filing is available 24
hours a day, seven days a
week. If you have any
questions regarding e-File
program, you may contact the
Department of Revenue by
email at
efiling@revenue.wi.gov
or by telephone at (608)
264-6886. If you are
interested in checking the
status of your tax refund,
you may call 866-WIS-RFND
(947-7363), toll-free.
-30-
Sen. Kedzie can be
reached in Madison at P.O.
Box 7882, Madison, WI
53707-7882 or by calling
toll-free 1 (800) 578-1457.
He may be reached in the
district at (262) 742-2025
or on-line at
www.senatorkedzie.com
