FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner 701-328-2770
January 3, 2001	Jill Weigel, Supervisor, Individual Income Tax Division, 701-328-3277

Individual Income Tax Forms In The Mail

BISMARCK – Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh announced today that over 313,000 Individual Income Tax booklets and postcards were mailed to North Dakota taxpayers late last week. 

“The 2000 Individual Income Tax booklet has a new look this year,” said Tax Commissioner, Rick Clayburgh. “Taxpayers will notice more information on electronic filing and Direct Deposit options.”

The booklet promotes three methods of electronic filing: through a tax practitioner, using purchased software, or through an Internet on-line service. Clayburgh indicated the electronic filing provides taxpayers with faster processing and more accurate returns.

Commissioner Clayburgh said he was “e-lated” with the increase in electronically filed income tax returns during 2000 and expects even greater numbers to arrive electronically during the 2001 filing season.

“Last year, over 28,500 taxpayers e-filed their returns and received their refunds much faster, generally within seven days,” said Clayburgh. “Refunds for manually processed paper returns usually took four to six weeks.”

Taxpayers can also expect faster refunds this year by choosing to electronically deposit their state tax refund into their checking or savings account on line 13 of Form 37-S.

Close to 129,000 North Dakota taxpayers will receive their 2000 North Dakota Income Tax booklets in the mail. Banks, post offices, tax practitioners, and libraries around the state also have the booklets on hand. Postcards were sent to almost 185,000 taxpayers who filed electronically or had a tax practitioner prepare their return last year.

Clayburgh said, “The Tax Department started mailing postcards a few years ago to help reduce printing and mailing costs. Taxpayers who would like the Individual Income Tax booklet can mail the postcard back and one will be sent.”

Clayburgh encourages taxpayers to ask their tax preparer about e-filing or to call the Office of State Tax Commissioner at 701-328-3450.   The tax department’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax also contains tax information, downloadable forms, and information on e-filing.