E-filed Returns Top 100 Million for the First Time

Taxpayers set a record over the weekend, surpassing the 100 million mark for electronically filed tax returns so far this season.

With the tax-filing deadline approaching, the Internal Revenue Service said it saw a late surge of e-filed returns over the weekend. By early Monday morning, the IRS had received nearly 101 million e-filed returns for the 2011 tax season, representing an 8.8 percent increase from last year. In addition, this weekend's e-file by taxpayers pushed the number above the number filed for all of calendar year 2010, when 98.7 million tax returns were e-filed.

The IRS is also approaching another milestone of 1 billion tax returns filed electronically since the e-file program went national in 1990.

For those still needing to file, the IRS reminded taxpayers Monday that e-file and Free File remain available—both through Monday night and for those filing with a six-month extension. More details are available on the IRS website.

The IRS also reminded taxpayers that they can request an extension to file by submitting Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to the IRS by April 18, 2011. The extension allows additional time to file but not to pay. Taxpayers who owe should submit a payment with Form 4868.

All taxpayers can use Free File to submit an extension. Taxpayers also can e-file an extension request using tax preparation software with their own computer or by going to a tax preparer who has the software. The IRS will acknowledge receipt of the extension request if taxpayers file by computer.