Officials says taxpayers can begin to file e-returns

Officials with the Internal Revenue Service and the Minnesota Department of Revenue say as of Friday taxpayers can start filing their tax forms electronically for the 2008 tax year.

As in past years, the two tax departments are encouraging everyone to file their taxes electronically.

IRS spokeswoman Carrie Resch says filing electronically reduces mistakes and saves taxpayer money. She also said taxpayers will receive their refunds faster than if they file with paper forms.

"Electronic filing is very easy. If you can navigate a Web browser, I think you could probably electronically file a tax return," said Resch. "You just need to have the same statements and documents that would you have for your paper return. You will be entering some information from those, but you won't necessarily have to do as much as if you were filing a paper return."

Resch said the IRS will allow people who have an adjusted gross income of $56,000 a year or less to efile for free.

She said those who make more than that can buy software to file electronically or use a different electronic form that looks exactly like the paper forms.

Resch says about three quarters of Minnesota taxpayer file electronically.