The agency reported that 69 percent of filers e-filed by computer or by phone through Feb. 9, compared to 63 percent at the same time last year. E-filed returns accounted for some 15 million of the total 21.9 million received as of Feb. 9, up 2.4 percent over the 14.7 million e-filed by this time last year.

More than 1.6 million taxpayers e-filed from their personal computers so far, a 31 percent increase over the comparable period last year. E-filed returns prepared by tax professionals accounted for the bulk of all e-filed returns, at 11.2 million, up 4.4 percent over last year, according to IRS figures.

2001 FILING SEASON STATISTICS
Cumulative through the week ending 2/11/00 and 2/9/01

Source: IRS

The IRS earlier said it expects the number of electronically filed returns to top 42 million this year, up from more than 35 million, or 33 percent of individual returns, in 2000. Last year's figure marked a 10 percent increase over 1999, when 23 percent of individual returns, or about 30 million were e-filed. In 1998, some 25 million individual returns, or 20 percent, were filed electronically.

So far, two-thirds of taxpayers doing their own e-filed returns have used the Self-Select PIN, but that figure drops to only 15 percent of taxpayers who e-filed through a paid preparer. The IRS said the decline is probably due to the fact that taxpayers need information from last year's return to use the PIN system, and they many may not have brought their old return to their preparer.

However, the total number of individual tax returns received to date is down. As of Feb. 9, receipts totaled about 21.9 million, off 6.8 percent from roughly 23.5 million for the same period last year.

The IRS certified more than $33 billion in refunds as of Feb. 9, up from $32.5 billion last year. The average refund is up $83, to $2,046, a 4.3 percent increase, the agency reported.

-- SmartPros News Staff

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