

IR-2009-36, April 7, 2009
WASHINGTON — Taxpayers who need more time to complete their returns should submit their requests for an automatic extension electronically by April 15, the Internal Revenue Service urged today.
This year, anyone, regardless of income, can e-file their extensions at no cost from a home computer using IRS traditional FreeFile or Free File Fillable Forms. E-filing a request for an extension using either form of FreeFile is convenient, safe and secure, and taxpayers receive confirmation to keep with their records.
The IRS expects to receive 1.9 million extension requests electronically this year. A total of almost 10 million extension requests are expected during 2009 compared with 9.5 million extensions received during 2008.
The extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file the tax return. An extension does not give the taxpayer an extension of time to pay. Those who owe taxes can make a payment when they file the extension either by mailing a check or by several electronic payment methods, such as electronic funds withdrawals from bank accounts and credit card payments.
Taxpayers can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file their tax returns by filing Form 4868PDF, Automatic Extension of Time to File.
Taxpayers can e-file the extension from a home computer or through a tax professional who uses e-file.
Some taxpayers can wait until after April 15 to file a return, pay any taxes due and make IRA contributions for 2008. As a general rule, those eligible get the extra time without having to ask for it. Eligible taxpayers include:
Members of the military serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or other combat zone localities. Normally, the postponement is until at least 180 days after the service member leaves the combat zone.
Victims of severe flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota have an extra 30 days, until May 15, to file their 2008 individual tax returns and pay any taxes due. Similarly, victims of severe storms and tornadoes in three Oklahoma counties have until May 11 to file and pay.
 
 

2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS


Cumulative through the weeks ending 4/4/08 and 4/3/09


Individual Income Tax Returns


2008


2009


% Change


Total Receipts


96,821,000


92,292,000


-4.7%


Total Processed


90,064,000


89,215,000


-0.9%


 


 


 


 


E-filing Receipts:


 


 


 


TOTAL


67,437,000


70,907,000


5.1%


Tax Professionals


47,184,000


46,860,000


-0.7%


Self-prepared


20,253,000


24,046,000


18.7%


 


 


 


 


Web Usage:


 


 


 


Visits to IRS.gov


131,296,000


157,895,000


20.3%


 


 


 


 


Total Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


75,136,000


77,720,000


3.4%


Amount


$183.044


Billion


$210.243


Billion


14.9%


Average refund


$2,436


$2,705


11.0%


 


 


 


 


Direct Deposit Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


53,694,000


58,294,000


8.6%


Amount


$147.164


Billion


$173.408


Billion


17.8%


Average refund


$2,741


$2,975


8.5%

 
 

2009 FILING SEASON STATISTICS


Cumulative through the weeks ending 3/28/08 and 3/27/09


Individual Income Tax Returns


2008


2009


% Change


Total Receipts


86,817,000


84,586,000


-2.6%


Total Processed


81,644,000


81,970,000


0.4%


 


 


 


 


E-filing Receipts:


 


 


 


TOTAL


62,237,000


65,932,000


5.9%


Tax Professionals


43,366,000


43,329,000


-0.1%


Self-prepared


18,870,000


22,603,000


19.8%


 


 


 


 


Web Usage:


 


 


 


Visits to IRS.gov


120,604,000


147,478,000


22.3%


 


 


 


 


Total Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


69,823,000


72,290,000


3.5%


Amount


$172.017


Billion


$196.563


Billion


14.3%


Average refund


$2,464


$2,719


10.4%


 


 


 


 


Direct Deposit Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


50,788,000


55,202,000


8.7%


Amount


$140.216


Billion


$164.657


Billion


17.4%


Average refund


$2,761


$2,983


8.0%

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