No surprise IRS.gov’s traffic is up here on the homestretch to tax day, but almost 25% over last year? That’s a significant uptick.
Visits to IRS.gov Up Sharply as Taxpayers Go Online to Get Tax Information
IR-2009-31, March 31, 2009 WASHINGTON — The number of visitors to IRS.gov is up more than 24 percent compared with last year, and more taxpayers rely on the Internal Revenue Service’s online resources to get answers to tax questions on the economic recovery legislation and to prepare and file tax returns accurately and timely.More than 138 million taxpayers already visited the IRS Web site this year, up from about 111 million from the same period last year. Taxpayers can find the latest information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including details on extending health insurance for people who lost their jobs and tax breaks for first-time homebuyers. IRS also has developed “What if” scenarios and the possible tax implications for people who may be facing financially difficult times. Taxpayers periodically should check for updates to these pages.
Some IRS online publications contain hyperlinks allowing users to get the answers they need quickly. The links allow users to jump immediately to other parts of publications and external Web sites, reducing the time it takes to access information.
A total of 14 publications contain tailored hyperlinks that provide easier access, including Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, and Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction. Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, was issued for the first time with hyperlinks last year, and the new version now has more links than ever before. Publication 17 also is available online in Spanish for the first time.
Available on IRS.gov this year is a new on-line tool that allows taxpayers to complete tax forms, perform basic mathematical calculations and e-file their federal income tax returns free of charge. Free File Fillable Forms is most suited for those who prepare their own paper returns without the assistance of a tax return preparer or tax preparation software. There are no income limitations to use Free File Fillable Forms, and the most commonly-used federal tax forms are available.
Also available to taxpayers is Free File, which provides taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $56,000 or less in 2008 with free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing. Free File is free, fast and accurate.
Taxpayers also can download IRS audio podcasts on a variety of topics in English and Spanish. Video tax tips are also available.
Other electronic tools can be found on IRS.gov. Highlights include the following:
- Where’s My Refund? — Whether taxpayers opted for direct deposit or asked the IRS to mail a check, they can track their refund through the Where’s My Refund? tool.
- The Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator —The recovery rebate credit is a one-time benefit for people who didn’t receive the full economic stimulus payment last year and whose circumstances may have changed, making them eligible now for some or all of the unpaid portion of the credit. In most cases, taxpayers who received the full amount of the stimulus payment last year will not be eligible for it this year. The recovery rebate credit can be calculated using the online tool, Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator.
- EITC Assistant — The earned income tax credit is a substantial credit for people who work but don’t earn a lot of money. Find out if you are eligible for the EITC by answering some questions and providing basic income information using the online EITC Assistant.
Taxpayers looking for the IRS online should type http://www.irs.gov into their Internet browser. Taxpayers should also beware of Web sites that may resemble IRS.gov but end in .com, .net, .org, .biz or any other domain name extension.
Also available isIRS.gov/Español, the IRS Web site offering tax forms, publications and information in Spanish. Interactive tools such as the following are available for individuals: EITC Assistant, (Asistente EITC); Free File(Presentacion FreeFile) Where’s My Refund? (¿Dónde Está Mi Reembolso?), How Much Was My 2008 Stimulus Payment (¿Cuánto fue mi Pago del Estímulo Económico?) and Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) Calculator (Calculadora para el Crédito por Recuperación de la Devolución de Estímulo Económico.)
Go below the fold for 2009 filing season stats:
2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS
Cumulative through the weeks ending 3/21/08 and 3/20/09
Individual Income Tax Returns 2008
2009
% Change
Total Receipts 78,792,000
77,623,000
-1.5%
Total Processed 74,139,000
74,806,000
0.9%
E-filing Receipts:
TOTAL 57,745,000
61,272,000
6.1%
Tax Professionals 40,040,000
40,006,000
-0.1%
Self-prepared 17,705,000
21,265,000
20.1%
Web Usage:
Visits to IRS.gov 110,570,000
137,596,000
24.4%
Total Refunds:
Number 64,725,000
66,893,000
3.3%
Amount $161.276
Billion $183.307
Billion 13.7%
Average refund $2,492
$2,740
10.0%
Direct Deposit Refunds:
Number 48,015,000
52,072,000
8.5%
Amount $133.495
Billion $155.952
Billion 16.8%
Average refund $2,780
$2,995
7.7%
2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS
Cumulative through the weeks ending 3/14/08 and 3/13/09
Individual Income Tax Returns 2008
2009
% Change
Total Receipts 71,028,000
70,807,000
-0.3%
Total Processed 66,656,000
67,595,000
1.4%
E-filing Receipts:
TOTAL 53,359,000
56,665,000
6.2%
Tax Professionals 36,771,000
36,751,000
2.5%
Self-prepared 16,588,000
19,914,000
14.8%
Web Usage:
Visits to IRS.gov 99,754,000
127,506,000
27.8%
Total Refunds:
Number 59,199,000
61,042,000
3.1%
Amount $149.621
Billion $169.114
Billion 13.0%
Average refund $2,527
$2,770
9.6%
Direct Deposit Refunds:
Number 45,023,000
48,643,000
8.0%
Amount $126.127
Billion $146.438
Billion 16.1%
Average refund $2,801
$3,010
7.5%
David Kirkpatrick 
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