More than 3.8 million filers self-prepared their returns on computers through April 7, representing a 94 percent increase from last year. People are becoming increasingly comfortable with e-filing, Rossotti said. Tax processing speeds improve. As of April 7, workers at IRS Centers handled 69.2 million returns, nearly 3 million more than the same period last year. This year s return processing is running 4.4 percent ahead of 1999, 6.4 percent ahead of 1998 and 11.9 percent ahead of 1997.
Internet usage soars to record.
Through April 9, the web site recorded 791 million hits this year, a 15 percent jump from last year. Through February, downloaded files increased 140 percent to 32.2 million. Tens of millions of taxpayers find help over the phone and in-person. During this filing season, the IRS never closed, Rossotti said. Help was available around the clock.