E-filing Begins Today

WASHINGTON (AP) - Taxpayers who file their returns electronically can start sending them today.

The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file electronically, using either tax preparation software or going to tax preparers.

The agency says those who file electronically and use direct deposit can get their refunds in as little as 10 days. Others who owe taxes can file now and pay later.

Last year, 80 million returns -- more than half the total -- were filed electronically. When the IRS began the electronic filing program back in 1986, there were just 25,000 e-returns.

The agency says, though, more than 13 million taxpayers who use certain forms related to the alternative minimum tax, will have to wait until mid-February before filing their taxes.