IRS News Release  
February 25, 1999

E-Filing & Tax Refunds
Continue Upwards Trends

WASHINGTON - The latest tax season statistics from the Internal Revenue Service show a continuation of upward trends in electronic returns and average refund amounts. The 16.2 million electronic returns represent a 12 percent increase over this time last year. The average refund -- $1784 -- is 15 percent higher.

More than 843,000 taxpayers have e-filed returns from their own computers, an increase of nearly 153 percent. These taxpayers either purchased tax preparation software or filed through companies offering online tax services. "With just one-fourth of this year's returns filed, we're more than half way to our projected total of 29.6 million e-file returns," said Bob Barr, IRS Assistant Commissioner for Electronic Tax Administration. "We hope that those who have yet to do their returns consider the ease and benefits of e-filing."

The IRS Web site -- www.irs.ustreas.gov -- has a special Electronic Services page, with details about filing and paying electronically as well as links to private sector partners offering e-filing services.

The child tax credit may be a strong contributor to the increase in the average refund. Around 25 percent of the returns filed so far have claimed this new credit, which is worth up to $400 for each dependent under the age of 17.

The child tax credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with income over $75,000 ($110,000 on a joint return). The tax instruction booklets explain how to figure the credit. While this credit normally cannot exceed the tax liability, there are exceptions for some taxpayers who have at least three qualifying children. These taxpayers will use Form 8812, "Additional Child Tax Credit," to get the full benefit of this credit.

IRS Publication 553, "Highlights of 1998 Tax Changes," explains this and other new provisions. It is available through the IRS Web site or by calling (toll-free) 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-629-3676).

As of Feb. 19, the IRS had processed more than $35 billion in refunds, compared to $29 billion at this time last year. Nearly three out of five taxpayers receiving refunds so far have had them deposited directly to their bank accounts.

1999 FILING SEASON STATISTICS

Cumulative through the week ending 2/20/98 and 2/19/99

1998

1999

% Change

Individual Income Tax Returns

Total Receipts

31,582,000

31,545,000

- 0.1

Total Processed

20,530,000

21,318,000

3.8

E-filing Receipts:

TOTAL

14,489,000

16,217,000

11.9

TeleFile (phone)

3,750,000

3,512,000

- 6.4

Computer

10,739,000

12,705,000

18.3

Tax Professionals

10,405,000

11,862,000

14.0

Self-prepared

334,000

843,000

152.8

Refunds Certified by the Martinsburg Computing Center:

Number

18,933,000

19,644,000

3.8

Amount of principal

$29.388 billion

$35.052 billion

19.3

Average refund

$1552

$1784

15.0

Direct Deposit Refunds:

Number

9,709,000

11,588,000

19.4

Amount

$19.276 billion

$25.580 billion

32.7

Previous | Next

1999 IRS News Releases | News Releases Main | Home