FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Cory Fong, Tax Commissioner, 701-328-2770
Thursday, January 22, 2007

Tax Commissioner Urges Filing Early, Electronically

BISMARCK, N.D. – Tax season has arrived and Tax Commissioner Cory Fong is encouraging taxpayers to file early and file electronically to receive a refund in a shorter amount of time.

“Last year, just over 50 percent of North Dakota’s taxpayers filed their state return electronically,” said Fong. “We encourage taxpayers who have not yet taken advantage of the electronic filing option to consider doing so this year."

In North Dakota, taxpayers can file their state return electronically by:

• Using a personal computer with an Internet connection to access one of the online services listed on the North Dakota Tax Department’s web site, http://www.nd.gov/tax/;
• Purchasing and using one of the tax preparation software products available in retail stores locally; or,
• Having a professional tax preparer file electronically for them.

“E-file makes the process much easier than filing a paper return,” said Fong. “Not only is e-file convenient, secure, and easy to use, it reduces errors and speeds processing. Taxpayers also benefit from faster refunds and the added convenience of direct deposit.”

Processing delays can result when data is missing or entered incorrectly. Electronic filing sends the data directly to the processing system, which avoids any potential keying errors that can occur under the conventional processing of paper returns.

Beginning with the 2007 income tax filing season, eager taxpayers can benefit from the department’s new online refund tracking system called “Where’s My Refund?”

“The new online tool allows taxpayers to find out easily and quickly the status of their income tax refund,” said Fong. “Taxpayers may use the North Dakota online refund tracking system 24 hours a day seven days a week.”

The online service provides individuals a convenient way to obtain accurate and current information on the status of their individual income tax refund. After entering certain required information, they will learn:

• If their return was not received or not processed;
• If their return is being processed; or
• The date their refund was issued.

Taxpayers can access “Where’s My Refund?” by going online at http://www.nd.gov/tax/.

For more information regarding electronic filing options, taxpayers are encouraged to refer to their 2006 state income tax booklet, visit the North Dakota Tax Department’s web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/, or call (701) 328-3450.

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