E-file is a system for submitting tax documents to the US Internal Revenue Service through the Internet or direct connection, usually without the need to submit any paper documents. Tax preparation software with e-filing capabilities includes stand-alone programs or websites. Tax professionals use tax preparation software from major software vendors for commercial use.
Of the 139.3 million US returns filed in 2007, 79.98 million (or about 57.4 percent) were filed electronically.[1] In 2010, a total of 129.3 million US returns were filed, and 93.4 million were filed electronically: in three years the percentage of returns filed electronically increased to 72.3 percent of total returns.[2] In 2018, 89% of tax returns were filed electronically.[3]
Taxpayers can e-file free using the IRS Free File service, either using an authorized IRS e-file provider's tax software, if eligible, or by using online Free File Fillable Forms from the Free File Alliance. Prior to 2020, the use of a third party was required for IRS e-file, and it was not possible to e-file directly through the IRS website.[4] In 2020, the IRS made direct e-filing possible through IRS Free File Fillable Forms available to taxpayers of any income level.[5][6]
- ^ "Another record-breaking number of taxpayers choose to electronically file in 2007". Internal Revenue Service. November 7, 2007.
- ^ "US Tax Professionals Services". www.ustaxpros1040.com. Retrieved 2016-09-04.
- ^ "Filing Season Statistics for Week Ending May 11, 2018 | Internal Revenue Service".
- ^ "e-file Options | Internal Revenue Service". www.irs.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
- ^ "Free File Fillable Forms User's Guide, Publication 5274 (Rev. 4-2020)" (PDF). 2020.
- ^ "Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free | Internal Revenue Service". www.irs.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-07.