The facility of filing income-tax returns electronically (e-returns) has received overwhelming response from the taxpayers. As on 31st July 2008, 12.49 lakh e-returns were filed compared to 1.46 lakh e-returns filed up to the same date last year, an increase of 755 percent. About 97 percent of the 12.49 lakh e-returns have been filed voluntarily by individuals, professionals and small businesses.

Largest number of e-returns were filed from Maharastra (278,112), followed by Delhi (153,992), Karnataka (144,287), Tamil Nadu ((118,354) and Gujarat (115,798).

Last year (fiscal 2007-08), up to 31st March 2008 about 21.93 Lakh e-returns were filed from all over India, out of which over 14.6 Lakh e-returns were filed voluntarily.

E-returns have been received from far-off regions across the country such as Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshwadeep, etc., indicating the broad and far reach of Internet and e-filing across the country. A number of e-returns have also been filed from outside India.

E-filing has several advantages - cost of filing is low, ease of filing is high, it can be filed anytime from anywhere, there is no need to visit the tax office, return filed is more accurate, there is no fear of losing tax records, returns can be processed faster and refunds issued faster and more accurately. The facility for e-filing is available through the website https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

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BSC/SS/GN-185/08

E-filing of income-tax returns enables widespread voluntary digital filing and faster, more accurate processing and refunds. E-filing of income-tax returns has substantially increased, driven largely by voluntary submissions from individuals, professionals and small businesses across major states, remote regions and from abroad. The government highlights e-filing as a cost efficient, convenient and more accurate method that obviates visits to tax offices, reduces record loss risk and enables faster, more accurate processing and refund issuance via the official e filing website.