The e-filing numbers are in, folks. And despite Congress’ desire for us to reach 80 percent of taxpayers using e-file, we’re falling short of that goal. Originally, Congress set 2008 as the year to reach 80 percent. But for tax year 2007, just 62 percent of taxpayers filed electronically, up from 57 percent for tax year 2006.

In Minnesota, we’re above average, with 74 percent of filers e-fling for tax year 2007 compared with 71 percent in tax year 2006.

However, both of those 2006 numbers looked higher at this time last year and were eventually revised downward. So we may not be as hip to e-filing as it initially appears. Click on the chart below for more details.

All those stories about e-filing soaring? Well, more people did e-file this year, because more people filed tax returns this year. That’s due in part to requiring a filed tax return in order to receive the economic stimulus rebate, prompting low income and elderly folks who may not have had a reason to file most years to grab their tax forms or head to the IRS web site. But the percentage of returns still being e-filed would not be characterized as “soaring” in my book.

In Minnesota, state e-filing surpassed the 2 million mark this year.

Congress recently extended the deadline to meet its 80 percent e-filing goal to the year 2012. They’re hot on the idea because e-filing reduces IRS costs , tax filing errors, and speeds up refunds

Do you think Congress should mandate e-filing? And if you are a paper filer, I’m curious to know why on earth you’re still spread out at the dining room table with white-out in one hand and a felt tip in the other.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am and is filed under taxes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.