Because the printed forms are scanned, Golden said, they are processed faster. Next year, Maryland plans to expand it's electronic filing for taxpayers who file more complex forms. Golden said the state also is considering adding Telefile, a system that allows residents to file taxes via telephone. Virginia encourages residents who used the short form last year to use Telefile, a telephone tax-filing system new this year for the state. Most other residents should be able to file their taxes directly on the state's Web site.
Taxpayers calculate their taxes on the site and, if they owe more, can pay by credit card.
My state taxes took all of 10 minutes. DeLoach said Virginia law does not permit her to release names of persons who wrote. The D.C. Web site offers plenty of forms that can be downloaded, but taxpayers can't file taxes online until next year. The site directs users to tax software sites, such as Intuit and TaxSlayer, but most charge a fee for electronic filing. The average refund takes 10 days for paper filers and five days for electronic filers.