• e-file Information for Tax Professionals

• e-file Information for Software Developers

 

General Information about e-file

What is Electronic Filing?
The Federal/State Electronic Filing Program (e-file) is a "one-stop filing" program between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). e-file enables you to electronically file both your federal and Connecticut Resident, Nonresident or Part-Year residents income tax returns in one single transmission using a computer instead of having to manually prepare your returns and send them through the mail. Both returns are transmitted to the IRS, who in turn acknowledges acceptance of the federal return and receipt of the state data. The IRS then makes available the state return data for retrieval by authorized DRS personnel.

How can I Electronically file my federal and State Returns?
You can choose to have a tax professional electronically file your returns for you, or you can file from your own personal computer using commercially available software packages or by visiting a developer's Internet site.

Why should I File Electronically?
e-file is not only fast and easy, it is convenient and virtually error free. Returns are electronically transmitted eliminating the chance of the return being lost or delayed in the mail. Most refunds are issued within four (4) days of acknowledgement. Direct Deposit of refunds is available.  If you owe tax you may elect the direct payment option and have your funds automatically withdrawn from your bank account.

How accurate is Electronic Filing?
Electronic filing is virtually error-free. It essentially eliminates the possibility of making a mistake on your return.

Is Electronic Filing Paperless?
Yes. If the taxpayer uses an IRS approved self-select PIN for e-file, the DRS will accept this PIN as the State signature.

However, if a taxpayer is not able to use an IRS self-select PIN, the taxpayer (and spouse, if filing a joint return) must sign Federal Form 8453, Income Tax Declaration For Electronic Filing by Individuals, prior to transmission of the return. The taxpayer is no longer required to mail Form 8453 to DRS but must retain the form and any other required documentation for at least three years to be furnished to DRS only upon request.

How do I pay the tax due?

If you owe money, you now have three payment options. 

• You may use direct payment and have the payment automatically withdrawn from your savings or checking account on the date you specify up to April 16, 2007.  (PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MOST BANKING INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENTS (ACH DEBIT) FROM PASSBOOK SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.  IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A PAYMENT FROM A SAVINGS ACCOUNT IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR BANK AND VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT WILL ACCEPT THIS TYPE OF TRANSACTION.)

• You may pay by credit card, provided you filed a 2005 Connecticut income tax return, by calling 1-800-2pay-tax (1-800-272-9829) and following the instructions or visit their website at www.officialpayments.com and select Payment Center.  At the completion of the transaction you will be given a confirmation number for your records.  All payments must be submitted by April 16, 2007 to avoid penalty and interest charges.  A 2.5% convenience fee will be charged by the credit card service provider.  

• You may pay by mail by submitting your check or money order with Form CT-1040V, supplied by your software company or tax professional. 

• You may also use the CT WebFile payment only option to pay CT income tax.

Benefits of Electronic Filing

• Fast Refunds- Most refunds are issued within four days of acknowledgement
• Direct Deposit- Optional direct deposit of your refund is available.
• Acknowledgement of Returns- Receipt of returns are confirmed using an electronic acknowledgement system. When DRS receives your electronic return, the confirmation is either sent directly to you at home, or to your income tax preparer.
• Accuracy- Electronically filed tax returns are received virtually error-free. Statistics show 12% of all paper returns have some sort of error.
• Convenience- The federal/State Program is a "one stop shop" tax filing. e-file allows taxpayers to file both their federal and Connecticut state tax returns in one transmission.
• Direct Payment- If you have a tax balance due, you may now authorize DRS to automatically withdraw the payment due on the date you specify.

Filing From Home (On-Line Filing)

You are now able to file your federal and Connecticut Individual Income Tax Returns using your personal computer instead of having to use the services of a professional preparer or manually prepare your return and send it through the mail.  

In order to electronically file, you must use commercially available approved software or use an accepted software development Web site listed below. Generally, a small fee is assessed by the Software Company to electronically file your income tax returns.  The sites listed below offer a wide variety of e-filing software options.  Please click on the logos to view each company's offers.  For other free file options, click on this link to go to the IRS Free File site.

Filing from is a paperless transaction. If you use an IRS approved self selected PIN for e-file or use Federal Form 8453, Income Tax Declaration For Electronic Filing by Individuals, the taxpayer is no longer required to mail Form 8453 to DRS but must retain the form and any other required documentation for at least three years to be furnished to DRS only upon request. 

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services does not endorse or favor one process or service over another, and will list all available companies. (Disclaimer) Currently only the following on-line companies have been accepted into the program for the 2005 tax year. As more companies are able to reach an agreement with DRS and become approved electronic filing sites, we will add them to this page.

The following companies are approved for Connecticut's
Fed/State On-line Filing for tax year 2006.

	{H&R Block logo}	{Tax Act Online logo}
	{e-smart}	{Tax Slayer Company logo}
{Turbo Tax for the web logo}	{tax simple logo}	{Tax Engine Logo}
{tax software logo}	{one price logo}	{all season tax}

Disclaimer

The State of Connecticut is dedicated to the practice of democracy and strongly believes in the free exchange of ideas. However, we also believe in maintaining a strict standard of excellence in all of the material associated with the State of Connecticut Web site. We do not favor one group over another, and any reference herein to any organizations, specific commercial products, process; or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise; do not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by the State of Connecticut.

The State of Connecticut nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights.

The State of Connecticut is not responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced through links. The responsibility for content rests with the organizations who are providing the information. Specific details regarding a document should be directed to the appropriate organization and not necessarily to the State of Connecticut Web site administrator.

Filing Electronically through a Tax Preparer

You can electronically file (e-file) your federal and Connecticut Individual income tax returns using the services of any tax professional accepted to participate in the Connecticut e-file program. Check with your tax professional to see if they are one of our participating preparers.

For your convenience, visit the IRS web site and use their web locator to find an e-file participant near you.