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Press Release
April 10, 2009

Oklahoma Tax Returns Top 1,000,000 Mark

Income tax season is in full swing at the Oklahoma Tax Commission as the deadline to file income taxes is right around the corner. With the filing deadline rapidly approaching the Oklahoma Tax Commission has been busy processing returns and striving to return refunds as quickly as possible.

“We are having a very successful year with a quick turnaround time on taxpayer refunds. Tax season has run smoothly for the agency this year. We’ve already received and processed over 1,000,000 returns,” said Paula Ross, Oklahoma Tax Commission spokesperson. “Currently the average refund is $422.”

“We are encouraging taxpayers who have not tried e-filing in the past to give it a chance this year,” Ross stated. “We know that with the economy taxpayers are looking to receive their refund as quickly as possible. With the last week of filing beginning and approximately 700,000 returns left to still be filed, the number of paper returns that will come into the agency will increase this next week.”

Paper return processing time will increase from the current fast pace to eight to ten weeks due to the sheer volume of paper received. By utilizing e-file and direct deposit options, taxpayers can have a refund in their account in eight to ten days, and often times quicker than that.

“Our e-file returns have increased each year. Currently more than 754,000 have e-filed, while at this time last year we had only 661,000 returns e-filed,” said Paula Ross. “E-filing is a benefit to the taxpayer and also our agency—returns are more accurate, and refunds are returned at a much quicker pace than using the traditional paper method to file.”

E-filing has become the best and most popular way to go for taxpayers who wish to file and receive a refund quickly. E-filing is simple, accurate, and fast, and also a greener way to file. E-filing services can be found on the OTC website at www.tax.ok.gov . Information is available for both pay and Free File services.

Answers to tax questions, information about filing Oklahoma state tax returns and options for e-filing returns may all be found on the agency website at www.tax.ok.gov. And although phone lines can be busy at this time of year, taxpayers may also call the agency Taxpayer Assistance office in-state toll-free at
(800) 522-8165 and speak to a representative.

Related Link: Electronic Filing Options
Releated Link: Oklahoma Income Tax Forms
Related Link: Free Tax Assistance Sites