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By Jason A. Vrtis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 27, 1996
Filling out tax returns for the upcoming year is expected to be a little easier with the Internal Revenue Service's TeleFile program.TeleFile allows eligible participants to completely file their 1040EZ tax return forms in 10 minutes over the phone using a toll-free phone number, said E.J. Perry, disclosure officer for the IRS's Southwest District.
Last year, almost 66,000 Arizonans tried the TeleFile program, Perry said. The 1997 program has been expanded to include married couples filing a joint return with no dependents, as well as single taxpayers. He said information and a customer service number will be mailed to qualified taxpayers after the first of the year.
Perry said those eligible will have nothing to mail or sign, and the taxpayers' customer service numbers will be used instead of signatures to maintain authenticity.
The toll-free number, which will be included in the packet, can access the system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from Jan. 9 through Aug. 15.
The caller is guided through the entire process, which means mistakes should be minimal, Perry said.
A computer service prompts callers to enter their social security number, customer service number, date of birth, taxable interest, unemployment income and W-2 information. Taxpayers eligible for the earned income credit will automatically be asked additional questions.
"This program is ideal for students who move around a lot," Perry said. "All they need to have is a correct address on file with us to receive mail."
Most people who used the program last year received their refund checks three weeks after calling, Perry said.
This year, he said the IRS is offering a new feature to the program that allows people to have refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts within two weeks. Tax-return refund checks sent through the mail should be returned in five to six weeks.
"People are afraid to use the telephone, but it doesn't take a knowledge of taxes to use the service," Perry said.
Margaret Emens, a chemistry senior who used TeleFile last year, said it was easy to use and she plans to use it again.
"It was very easy and a little bit fun too. It is easier because you don't have to mail anything," Emens said.
However, not every student agreed.
Rachel French, pre-pharmacy senior, said the program is a good idea but she would not use it.
"The program sounds like a good idea, but I won't use it because I would like to have documented proof of everything," French said.
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