E-filing catches on in the Commonwealth

A record-breaking 4.5 million Pennsylvanians electronically filed their personal income taxes last year.

It’s an all-time-high for the commonwealth, and a 7 percent jump in the number of people who choose to get their tax refunds–-or pay their balances–-electronically.

 

State Department of Revenue spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell says the error-reducing calculators on electronically filed returns can help taxpayers avoid common mistakes.

“Transposing numbers, adding numbers up inaccurately, transposing cents for dollars… those kind of things,” said Brassell.

She says foregoing the postage stamp is also the most cost-effective way to file a tax return.

“Electronic filing does save the state significant money, about $3.48 per return,” said Brassell.

This year, the state saved about $880,000 more than it did last year because of the rise of e-filings.