I just read an article that says the taxpayers are not e-filing their taxes as much as the IRS would like. The cost to process a paper return is $2.49 compared to $.78 if someone e-files.
Of course the cost is less to the IRS because the consumer has to pay money to Turbo-Tax and to the clearing house for their refund. This isn't too hard a pill to swallow if you get a refund...but if you have to pay something and then pay those fees on top of it all, why not just do the taxes and mail in the forms?
Also, it took around three to four weeks to get my refund via direct deposit. I think that a faster turn-around would get people on board faster too.
Posted by bbarton at April 17, 2006 10:10 AM
As long as it costs me more than the price of a postage stamp to e-file, I will still file the old fashioned way. I did e-file a couple of times when I got a rebate coupon on the filing fee, but I really don't get why anyone should pay $15 to do something electronically that can be done for $0.39 with paper, especially if the savings to the government is considerably less than $15. E-filing should be free.
Posted by: Chosen on April 17, 2006 02:32 PM