2012 Income Tax Filing Season Begins

 

 

 

For immediate release:

january 30, 2013

 

Contact: Lisa Erickson

Phone: 651-556-6397

Lisa.erickson@state.mn.us

 

 

2012 Minnesota income tax filing season begins today

Department of Revenue encourages taxpayers to file electronically for an accurate and faster return

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The state income tax filing season kicks off today, as the Minnesota Department of Revenue will now accept individual income tax returns for tax year 2012. Taxpayers will have until April 15 to file their tax returns.

 

The Minnesota Department of Revenue encourages taxpayers to electronically file (e-file) their return; it has proven to be faster, more accurate and more secure. While both e-filed and paper filed tax returns are subject to review for accuracy, taxpayers who e-file typically receive their refunds an average of two weeks earlier than those who paper file their returns.

 

“Taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by electronically filing and receiving their refund by direct deposit,” said Terri Steenblock, Assistant Commissioner for Individual Taxes. “E-filing can also help reduce errors which can lead to a bigger refund.”

 

Did you know?

• Ninety percent of e-filed returns received before April 15 are processed within seven days
• Paper returns received before April 15 can take 30 days or longer to process
• Paper returns tend to have more errors than returns filed electronically
• Requesting direct deposit for your refund, reduces the time it takes to receive your refund

 

Last year, more than 2.2 million returns (82 percent) were filed electronically, up two percent from 2011.

 

Other tax filing tips:

• Electronically deposit your refund. Both paper and electronic filers can opt to have their refund electronically deposited by selecting “direct deposit of your refund.” Requesting electronic deposit on paper or electronic returns will allow for a quicker refund.
• Make payments electronically to control when the money is transferred. For more information about making your payment electronically, please visit our website
• A list of approved software products for e-filing is on our website.
• Find M1 tax instruction booklets on our website or at a library. The department no longer mails Form M1 tax booklets.
• Get free tax assistance. Depending on income, some taxpayers may qualify to e-file for free. Visit the IRS website or Minnesota Department of Revenue website for more information.
• File taxes on time. The due date for filing state returns is Monday, April 15, 2012.
• Understand your options. Refund Anticipation Loans (RAL) offered by some tax preparers often charge very high interest rates which can reduce a taxpayer’s refund.
• Access the Department’s website for additional information on tax filing requirements, instructions, and answers to many frequently asked questions.

 

This is the last year the department will be mailing out paper check refunds. Beginning in 2014, taxpayers can elect for direct deposit or debit cards will be mailed to taxpayers in place of paper refunds.

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