NEWS Release

Comptroller Schaefer Celebrates Major Milestone—One Millionth Electronic Tax Return

Occasion Marked By Special Presentation To The Millionth E-Filer

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 15, 2005)—Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer today announced that his office has reached a major milestone as one million tax returns have been filed electronically for the first time during any tax season. The Comptroller has been promoting e-filing heavily because it provides fast, safe and accurate service for taxpayers and it saves millions in administrative costs.

Comptroller Schaefer marked the occasion at a news conference by presenting a certificate of appreciation, a Comptroller’s Office leather portfolio and a commemorative mug full of dark chocolate coins to Victoria Becker, of Severna Park—Maryland’s first one millionth taxpayer to file her return electronically during a tax filing season. So far, the Comptroller’s Office has received 1,013,754 electronically filed tax returns through yesterday, with more expected by the close of the 2005 tax season at midnight tonight.

“This is an important milestone for us,” said Comptroller Schaefer. “Reaching one million says we’ve got a successful program and taxpayers like Ms. Becker will help us continue building on that success and hopefully soon reach our goal of a paperless tax season.”

Ms. Becker filed her return through the Comptroller’s free iFile program yesterday, which she enthusiastically describes as “the fastest way to get your refund. In three days it’s in your checking or savings account, so why not?” This is the fourth year Ms. Becker has used the Comptroller’s iFile program.

With only a few hours left in the filing season, Comptroller Schaefer continues to urge Marylanders to file electronically. “If you file electronically by midnight tonight, you will get your refund deposited directly in your bank account in two to three business days,” said Comptroller Schaefer. “The same can’t be said for paper returns. We get so many paper returns at the end of the filing season that it can take several weeks for a refund to be issued.”

Taxpayers can file their taxes electronically by using approved software, a commercial tax preparer or by utilizing the Comptroller’s Web site at www.marylandtaxes.com. In fact, the Comptroller helped to make it easier this year for taxpayers to file both their federal and Maryland returns electronically at no cost through his Web site.

“We’ve added a prominent link on our Web site which will take you to the IRS Free File program where you can e-file your federal return for free,” said Comptroller Schaefer. “When you’re done with your federal return, you can come back to our site and file your Maryland return at no charge through our iFile program.”

CONTACT:
Michael D. Golden, 410-260-7305