(Washington, DC) – District residents who have filed their tax returns electronically are receiving their refunds in three days and those who file paper returns in ten days.
The number of people filing electronically is up almost 10 percent over last year and they are getting their refunds faster,” said Stephen M. Cordi, deputy chief financial officer for the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). “This increase in electronic filing also makes it possible for us to process paper returns much quicker,” he added.
Refund Statistics
| Individual Income Tax Refund Statistics | 2012 | 2011 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Refunds Issued | 161,074 | 144,785 | 11% |
| Total Amount Refunded | $107,269,823 | $95,615,801 | 12% |
| Average Refund | $881.20 | $895.88 | -2% |
|
Refund Average Time (days) Paper |
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|
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| Number of Individuals Who Filed Electronically | 128,539 | 117,108 | 9.8% |
Figures are for returns processed as of March 23, 2012.
Cordi said electronic filing also is the best way to file, because it significantly reduces the chances for errors in the processing of returns.
With the individual income tax filing deadline about two weeks away, Cordi encourages taxpayers to file their returns electronically for an accurate return and faster refund.
OTR offers a free filing option through its electronic Taxpayer Service Center (eTSC), which is available at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/ 24 hours a day,7 days a week. Taxpayers can also pay their taxes online and check the status of their refund.
Cordi reminds taxpayers who are filing paper returns to pay attention to simple mistakes that can significantly slow down the processing of their return and the issuance of their refund. Below is a list of common errors made by taxpayers on their District tax returns:
Most Common Errors:
- Checking incorrect filing status;
- Missing dependent information;
- Missing Social Security numbers;
- Missing/incomplete schedules and withholding statements (W-2, 1099G);
- Not indicating bank account type or bank account routing number when requesting direct deposit;
- Personal check written amount is not the same as numeric amount;
- Social Security number on tax return not matching number on W-2;
- Unsigned personal checks;
- Unsigned tax returns; and
- Incorrect tax return sent to DC tax office (federal/other state tax returns are mailed to DC office, instead of the DC tax return).
OTR customer service representatives are also available to assist taxpayers in preparing their individual income tax returns and to provide information about electronic filing 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday at OTR’s Walk-in Service Center, 1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W270, or by calling (202) 727-4TAX (4829).
Filing Deadline:
Taxpayers will get extra time to file their 2011 tax forms as the deadline has been extended to Tuesday, April 17 for federal and District income taxes. The normal filing deadline of April 15 is a Sunday and the next business day, Monday, April 16, is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia – Emancipation Day.