IRS: More People eFiled Taxes; Refunds Increase

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A record 77 million taxpayers have filed their tax returns electronically this year, the Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday. <br/><br/>The IRS also said that as of May 4, the average

Tuesday, May 15th 2007, 10:49 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A record 77 million taxpayers have filed their tax returns electronically this year, the Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday.

The IRS also said that as of May 4, the average refund this year was $2,255, up 2.5 percent over the same time last year. More than 59 million refunds were deposited directly into savings, checking and brokerage accounts, more than 61 percent of all refunds issued. This year the IRS permitted direct deposit of refunds into as many as three separate financial accounts.

The IRS said those choosing direct deposit got refunds at least a week sooner than others.

The agency said that as of May 4 it had received 128 million returns and processed 114 million. Of those, 76.8 million were filed electronically _ almost 55 million by tax professionals and 22 million through home computers. Taxpayers e-filing from home were up 11 percent over the same time last year.

Based on current trends, the agency expects about 58 percent of all returns to be e-filed this year.

The IRS said 140 million people had visited the agency's Web site to receive help and information, up from 128 million at the same time in 2006.