FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner   701-328-2770
March 1, 2001	Jill Weigel, Supervisor, Individual Income Tax Division, 701-328-3277

March Proclaimed Individual Income Tax E-File Awareness Month

BISMARCK --- Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh announced that March 2001 has been proclaimed "Individual Income Tax E-File Awareness Month" - (100kb pdf) by Governor John Hoeven.

"By taking advantage of the advances in technology we can provide enhanced services to the people of North Dakota in a timely, convenient, and efficient manner, " said Governor Hoeven. "If you are looking for the fastest refund possible e-filing gives you that option."

"It's important for taxpayers to know they have choices in how they file their individual income tax return" said Clayburgh. "E-filing is faster and more convenient than the traditional paper return process." Good news, especially for taxpayers who are expecting a refund.

"Taxpayers who e-file their individual income tax return can expect their state refund in seven to ten days," said Clayburgh, "A paper return can take up to six weeks for processing."

Taxpayers can file their individual income tax return through their tax preparer or from their PC using an Internet on-line service or software purchased off the shelf.

Clayburgh cautions taxpayers about purchased software, saying "When purchasing a software product, taxpayers need to make sure it supports North Dakota's tax forms." Clayburgh also offers these tips for e-filing:

• Taxpayers need to file both their federal and state return using the same e-file provider for the e-file option to work. Taxpayers will not be able to file their North Dakota return electronically using one of these service providers if they have:
  • already filed their federal return using an off-the-shelf tax preparation product,
  • filed their federal return using an online filing service other than one of those found on the Tax Department's website at www.nd.gov/tax, or
  • filed their federal return another way (on paper or by TeleFile) and now want to file their North Dakota return electronically.
• Taxpayers may be charged a fee to file their taxes electronically. The fee goes directly to the filing service provider and varies. Talk to a tax preparer or visit the websites of the firms providing on-line tax preparation services for more information about filing procedures and costs.

Clayburgh said, " Read the information about services provided carefully because some e-filing services are free for lower income returns."

Clayburgh also recommends taxpayers check their community for a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.

"VITA sites provide free tax preparation and filing services to people who have low to moderate incomes," said Clayburgh.

For more information on individual income tax electronic options, contact the Office of State Tax Commissioner at 1-800-638-2901 ext. 3450 or 701-328-3450, talk with a tax preparer, go to your local VITA site, or visit the department's website at www.nd.gov/tax. The Proclamation can be found on our website at www.nd.gov/tax/news/e-file_proclamation.pdf. - (100kb pdf)