E-file Information for Income Taxpayers

• General Information
• Benefits

General Information about e-file

What is Electronic Filing?
The Federal/State Electronic Filing Program (e-file) is a "one-stop filing" program between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). E-file enables you to electronically file both your federal and Connecticut Resident, Nonresident or Part-Year Resident income tax returns in one single transmission using a computer instead of having to manually prepare your returns and send them through the mail. Both returns are transmitted to the IRS, who in turn acknowledges acceptance of the federal return and receipt of the state data. The IRS then makes available the state return data for retrieval by authorized DRS personnel.

How can I Electronically file my federal and State Returns?
You can choose to have a tax professional electronically file your returns for you, or you can file from your own personal computer using commercially available software packages or by visiting a developer's Internet site.

Why should I File Electronically?
E-file is not only fast and easy, it is convenient and virtually error free. Returns are electronically transmitted eliminating the chance of the return being lost or delayed in the mail.  For the quickest turnaround of your refund choose the Direct Deposit option.  If you owe tax you may elect the direct payment option and have your funds automatically withdrawn from your bank account.

How accurate is Electronic Filing?
Electronic filing is virtually error-free. It essentially eliminates the possibility of making a mistake on your return.

Is Electronic Filing Paperless?
Yes. If the taxpayer uses an IRS approved self-select PIN for e-file, the DRS will accept this PIN as the State signature.

However, if a taxpayer is not able to use an IRS self-select PIN, the taxpayer (and spouse, if filing a joint return) must sign Federal Form 8453, Income Tax Declaration For Electronic Filing by Individuals, prior to transmission of the return. The taxpayer is no longer required to mail Form 8453 to DRS but must retain the form and any other required documentation for at least three years to be furnished to DRS only upon request.

How do I pay the tax due?

If you owe money, you now have the following payment options. 

1. DIRECT PAYMENT - have the payment automatically withdrawn from your savings or checking account on the date you specify up to the due date.  (PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MOST BANKING INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENTS (ACH DEBIT) FROM PASSBOOK SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.  IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A PAYMENT FROM A SAVINGS ACCOUNT IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR BANK AND VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT WILL ACCEPT THIS TYPE OF TRANSACTION.)
2. CREDIT CARD - pay by credit card, provided you filed a Connecticut income tax return on the prior year, by visiting the Official Payments website at www.officialpayments.com and select Payment Center.  At the completion of the transaction you will be given a confirmation number for your records.  All payments must be submitted by the due date to avoid penalty and interest charges.   A convenience fee on the total tax payment will be charged to your account by the credit card service provider.
3. BY MAIL - by submitting your check or money order with Form CT-1040V, supplied by your software company or tax professional.
4. TSC - pay using the TSC's payment only option FREE.

Benefits of Electronic Filing

• Fast Refunds- Most refunds are issued within a few days of acknowledgement.
• Direct Deposit- Optional direct deposit of your refund is available.
• Acknowledgement of Returns- Receipt of returns are confirmed using an electronic acknowledgement system. When DRS receives your electronic return, the confirmation is either sent directly to you at home, or to your income tax preparer.
• Accuracy- Electronically filed tax returns are received virtually error-free. Statistics show 12% of all paper returns have some sort of error.
• Convenience - The federal/State Program is a "one stop shop" tax filing. E-file allows taxpayers to file both their federal and Connecticut state tax returns in one transmission.
• Direct Payment- If you have a tax balance due, you may now authorize DRS to automatically withdraw the payment due on the date you specify.

Filing From Home (On-Line Filing)

You are now able to file your federal and Connecticut Individual Income Tax Returns using your personal computer instead of having to use the services of a professional preparer or manually prepare your return and send it through the mail.  

In order to electronically file, you must use commercially available approved software or use an accepted software development Web site listed below. Generally, a small fee is assessed by the Software Company to electronically file your income tax returns.  The sites listed below offer a wide variety of e-filing software options.  Please click on the logos to view each company's offers.  Visit the IRS Free File site for other free filing options.

Filing from home is a paperless transaction. If you use an IRS approved self selected PIN for e-file or use Federal Form 8453, Income Tax Declaration For Electronic Filing by Individuals, the taxpayer is no longer required to mail Form 8453 to DRS but must retain the form and any other required documentation for at least three years to be furnished to DRS only upon request.