News Release
February 12, 2003
- Taxpayers Can File Ohio Income Tax
Returns On-Line For Free With Ohio I-File
COLUMBUS (February 12, 2003) – Taxpayers can now file Ohio
individual income tax returns on-line and for free with the
Ohio Department of Taxation’s (ODT’s) brand-new and
innovative "Ohio I-File."
Ohio I-File, developed by ODT, is already drawing rave
reviews from taxpayers.
"I would like to compliment the state...it was a quick,
easy to understand way to file my state taxes," one
taxpayer wrote.
And, from another, "This has to be the easiest way yet to
file your state taxes…Great program!"
ODT created Ohio I-File as a natural progression of efforts
to increase the filing of paperless returns. In 2002, almost
40 percent of the 5.1 million individual income tax returns
in Ohio were paperless, filed via the Internet (e-file) or
telephone (TeleFile). ODT expects 200,000 taxpayers to use
Ohio I-File this year.
There is no filing fee for using Ohio I-File, unlike
commercial software programs that charge the user a fee to
file a state income tax return.
"In these lean economic times, cutting costs is critical.
Ohio I-File does that, saving money for both taxpayers and
state government," Ohio Tax Commissioner Thomas Zaino said.
In 2002, ODT spent an average of $3 to process a paper
return, compared to an average of 67 cents to process an
electronic (i.e. TeleFile or e-file) return.
Zaino says Ohio I-File also cuts the time taxpayers have to
wait for their income tax refund. Taxpayers who file a return
electronically and choose direct deposit of their refund,
usually get their money within seven to ten days or sooner.
Taxpayers who file a paper return can wait up to two months
for their refund.
Ohio I-File is secure and easy to use, too. Tests of Ohio
I-File show most people can go through all the steps to file
a return in about 10 minutes.
"Simply log-on to our web site at http://tax.ohio.gov/ and follow the instructions for
I-File," Zaino said emphasizing, "There’s nothing to buy, and
there are no fees for filing with Ohio I-File.
More information on Ohio I-File is available at the ODT web
site: http://tax.ohio.gov/ or
by calling 1-800-282-1780.
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For more information contact Gary Gudmundson, Communications
Director, Ohio Department of Taxation, at 614-644-6903.