FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner   701-328-2770
January 30, 2001	Jill Weigel, Supervisor, Individual Income Tax Division, 701-328-3277

Tax Department Distributes E-File Public Service Announcement

BISMARCK – Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh announced the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner released a public service announcement encouraging taxpayers to file their Income Tax Return electronically. The public service announcement was distributed to North Dakota radio and television stations for broadcast when time permits.

“We produced the public service announcement to encourage North Dakota taxpayers to file electronically because it’s faster for the taxpayer and a better use ofTax Department resources,” said Clayburgh. “We have found that the electronic forms are more accurate because there is a lower risk for error when the numbers are entered electronically rather than being hand-written. ”Clayburgh added that the cost to produce the public service announcement was minimal, easily off-set by a slight increase in e-filed returns.

“North Dakota taxpayers have choices this year when it comes to filing income tax returns” said Clayburgh. “Speedy refunds and convenience are attracting a growing number of North Dakota’s taxpayers to the e-file program. ”More than 28,500 taxpayers filed electronically last year.Commissioner Clayburgh expects that number to grow significantly this year.

In addition to electronically filing their tax return, taxpayers can choose to have their refund deposited directly into their checking or savings account.Clayburgh said, “This direct deposit service is the fastest way to receive a tax refund.Refunds will be deposited within about seven days of filing.”

Tax preparers who are authorized electronic filing providers can e-file for the taxpayer.Or, people can use their own computer and purchase special tax preparation software to file their income tax returns electronically. E-filing allows taxpayers to conveniently e-file both their federal and state income tax returns simultaneously.

Taxpayers can find out more about e-filing by asking their tax preparer, calling the Office of State Tax Commissioner at 701-328-3450, or visiting the tax department’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax.