IRS News Release  
February 27, 2004

Early Returns Reflect More E-filing

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service said today that electronic filing has shown a sharp increase for this year�s early filers.

Through February 20, overall e-filing reached 29 million returns, an increase of more than 2 million, or 8 percent, over the same period last year. More than 6.6 million taxpayers have e-filed from their personal computers, a 23 percent increase.

"E-filing is off to another good start," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "More and more taxpayers are discovering the benefits of e-file."

E-filing is fast, safe and accurate. By choosing to have their refunds deposited directly to a bank account, e-filers can have the money in two weeks or less.

The early refund statistics show that:

  • The IRS has certified 31.8 million refunds, an increase of 4.1 percent over the same time last year.
  • The refunds total $72.8 billion, up from $66.9 billion.
  • The average refund is up $97, to $2,292 - a 4.5 percent increase.
  • Three out of four taxpayers receiving refunds had them deposited directly to their bank accounts. Direct deposit - the fastest, safest and most convenient way to get a refund - is available to all filers.

2004 Filing Season Statistics
Cumulative through the week ending 2/21/03 and 2/20/04

2003 2004 Change
Individual Income Tax Returns
Total Receipts 39,078,000 40,110,000 2.6%
Total Processed 32,936,000 34,328,000 4.2%
E-filing Receipts:
TOTAL 27,019,000 29,145,000 7.9%
TeleFile (phone) 2,509,000 2,330,000 - 7.1%
Computer 24,510,000 26,815,000 9.4%
Tax Professionals

19,121,000 20,184,000 5.6%
Self-prepared 5,389,000 6,631,000 23.0%
Tax Year 2003 Refunds Certified:
Number 30,507,000 31,753,000 4.1%
Amount of Principal $66.948 billion $72.792 billion 8.7%
Average Refund $2,195 $2,292 4.5%
Direct Deposit Refunds:
Number 22,470,000 24,195,000 7.7%
Amount $55.816 billion

$61.892 billion 10.9%
Average $2,484 $2,558 3.0%

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