Many taxpayers are hesitant to file their returns electronically. Actually, upon reflection, it seems the best thing to do. Not long ago people were hesitant to use ATM machines and found computers and e-mail incomprehensible. Today we acknowledge the convenience, timesaving, almost essential nature of these tools.
Electronic filing provides all the same benefits of the other tools.
In addition, electronic filing saves on paper, storage, and postage costs, eliminates potential keypunch errors and the loss of required schedules. Electronic returns are acknowledged by the IRS, so you know that they have been received and are not lost in a post office. Both refund and balance due refunds can be filed electronically. Because electronic returns are processed faster, filing electronically when due a refund makes sense. If the return is filed electronically, the taxpayer can expect a refund in 17-23 days.