*e-file* Demographics[^1]

# Kevin Mullen : (860) 756-4443

Small Business/Self-Employed: Research

e-mail: Kevin.A.Mullen@irs.gov

# Michael Kinsley: (860) 756-4647

# Wage & Investment: Stakeholder, Partnership, Education & Communications 

Internal Revenue Service

Stop 202

135 High Street

Hartford CT 06103

*e-file* Demographics State - Publication Number 3496 (Rev.6-2002)

*e-file* Demographics Nationwide - Publication Number 3497 (Rev.6-2002)

With this zip code database, we created a tool to help you, the
Electronic Return Originator (ERO), identify potential clients and
target your marketing to them, thereby increasing the numbers of
electronically filed returns. We also want to help you identify areas to
open new offices. The data indicates how many EROs are already filing
from particular zip codes; thus, you can determine how many other
practitioners may already be filing electronically in a new or existing
office location.

We based the Electronic Returns Originator (ERO) count by zip code on
the office location and aggregated the taxpayer data by zip code from
the taxpayer returns. ERO data was extracted from the District Office
Applicants Database on May 1, 2002. Taxpayer data for Tax Year 2000 was
extracted from the IRS main database on December 31, 2001. (Tax Year
2000: 1/1/2001-12/31/2001)

The file can be read with Microsoft Excel 97 or higher.

Using the AutoFilter command *(Data Drop down box, AutoFilter drop down
list*):

The AutoFilter command applies drop-down arrows directly to column
labels in the list, so you can select the item you want to display. The
drop-down box in Excel 97 holds only the first 1000 original data
elements, so if you can not find a zip code or data element, use the
Custom method. When you select an item from the drop-down list,
Microsoft Excel temporarily hides the rows that do not contain that
item. You can show all the data in your list by using the Show All
command, or remove the AutoFilter drop-down arrows by clearing the
AutoFilter command.

GLOSSARY

AGE:

-   \<30: The count of returns with primary taxpayer's age less than 30.

-   30-44: The count of returns with primary taxpayer's age between 30
    and 44.

-   45-60: The count of returns with primary taxpayer's age between 45
    and 60.

-   \<60: The count of returns with primary taxpayer's age greater than
    60.

AVG AGI: Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

AVG REFUND/BAL DUE: The average amount of the refund or tax owed.

-   Negative numbers represent refunds.

-   Positive numbers represent tax amounts owed.

COUNTY: The primary political divisions of most States are termed
\"counties.\" In Louisiana, these divisions are known as \"parishes.\"
In Alaska, which has no counties, the county equivalents are the
organized \"boroughs\" and the \"census areas\" that are delineated for
statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In
four States (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or
more cities that are independent of any county organization and thus
constitute primary divisions of their states. These cities are known as
\"independent cities\" and are treated as equivalent to counties for
statistical purposes. That part of Yellowstone National Park in Montana
is treated as a county equivalent. The District of Columbia has no
primary divisions, and the entire area is considered equivalent to a
county for statistical purposes.

Designated Market Areas (DMA's): are used by Nielsen Media Research to
identify TV stations whose broadcast signals reach a specific area and
attract the most viewers. There are currently [**210 Designated Market
Areas**](../../dmas.html) throughout the U.S. (This variable is only in
the *Nationwide* *e-file* Demographics database- Publication Number
3497.)

DIRECT DEPOSIT: The count of returns indicating Direct Deposit.

EITC: The count of returns with Earned Income Tax Credit.

ERO-PREPARERS: The count of Electronic Return Originators (ERO's) by zip
code on May 1, 2002. An ERO is an Authorized IRS *e-file* Provider who
originates (starts) the electronic submission of income tax returns to
the IRS. ERO's may originate the electronic submission of income tax
returns that have been prepared by themselves or preparers they employ,
by taxpayers, by other EROs, and by other paid preparers. ERO's are
divided into two categories:

-   WITH EFIN'S: The count of ERO's with EFIN's; and

## ACTIVE: The count of ERO's with EFIN's who have transmitted this season.

FILING STATUS:

-   Single: The count of returns with Single as the filing status.

-   MARRIED JOINT: The count of returns with filing status Married
    filing jointly.

-   HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD: The count of returns with filing status Head of
    Household.

Returns done BY PREPARERS: The count of returns prepared by someone
other than the filer, i.e., paid preparer, VITA volunteer, IRS employee,
etc.

Town: Small residential area or city.

Total \# of Returns: All returns, including both paper filed and
e-filed.

TYPE OF RETURNS:

-   PAPER: The count of paper returns (This includes 1040PC)

-   *e-file:* The count of Online and ERO returns (Standard Electronic
    Filings)

XX: Represent counts of less than ten.

ZIP CODE: Zip Codes are administrative units established by the United
States Postal Service (USPS) for the distribution of mail. Zip Codes
serve addresses for the most efficient delivery of mail, and therefore
generally do not respect political or census statistical area
boundaries. They usually do not have clearly identifiable boundaries,
often serve a continually changing area, are changed periodically to
meet postal requirements, and do not cover all the land area of the
United States. Zip Codes are identified by five-digit codes assigned by
the USPS. The first three digits identify a major city or sectional
distribution center, and the last two digits generally signify a
specific post office\'s delivery area or point.

\# of Sch C: The count of returns with Schedule C attached.

\# of Sch F: The count of returns with Schedule F attached.

[^1]: Our very special thanks to John Hribar, Phoenix and John
    Diberardinis, Andover Service Center.