Franchot Reports Nearly 2 Million Returns Already Processed One-week After Deadline

Annapolis, MD (April 23, 2009) - One week after most taxpayers filed their taxes, Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his office has already processed nearly two million returns. As a result of the production of two YouTube ads, successful partnerships with non profit organizations, and several other outreach efforts to promote electronic filing, nearly 1.6 million of the two million returns received were filed electronically, up nearly 10% from last year. More than 385,000 paper returns have been processed so far.

“I am happy to report that despite our budget cutbacks, my office has been productive, even surpassing last year’s e-file numbers,” said Comptroller Franchot. “By reaching out to Maryland taxpayers through various mediums and urging them to file electronically this year, it appears that many took my advice.”

The Comptroller’s Office has already processed a total of 1,567,829 returns compared to 1,445,806 for the same time last year. More than $1.5 billion in refunds have been given back to taxpayers. While, the bulk of tax returns received on the April 15 deadline are received by mail, the agency has already processed 385,224 paper returns.

During the 2009 legislative session, senators and delegates passed a bill that will require all tax preparers who prepare 300 or more returns to file them electronically beginning in 2010. After that initial year's phase in, the number drops to any paid preparer who prepares 200 or more returns in 2011 and 100 or more thereafter. The bill includes provisions authorizing the Comptroller to grant waivers based on specified circumstances.

This year, the Comptroller's Office has used innovative public outreach efforts to encourage taxpayers to file electronically. As a result, the number of returns filed electronically for tax year 2008 has already surpassed the total 1.5 million returns that were filed electronically for tax year 2007, and there are still returns to be processed. Each return that is filed electronically saves the state about $1.60 in processing costs, and taxpayers who file electronically receive their refunds within 72 hours. Since its inception in the early 1990’s, electronic filing has saved the state roughly $14 million.

For more information on electronic filling or to file free of charge, please go to the Comptroller’s Web site at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937).