This process avoids the need to have a tax agency employee input the data to the agency's computers, and reduces the chance of error. E-filing also speeds up the return filing process and can shave weeks off the time it takes to get a tax refund. If there are none, the returns are accepted and a confirmation code is transmitted back to the company and the taxpayer. The code is considered proof the return was received. If there are errors, the return is rejected and an explanation of the problem is included.
Return is mailed to federal or state tax agency.
If sent certified mail, the receipt is returned to the taxpayer, although the receipt is not considered proof that the return was received. An IRS or FTB employee manually inputs the data into the IRS' computers.