IRS predicts electronic tax filings will pass 50 percent mark

The IRS anticipates that more than half of all taxpayers will file electronically during the 2005 tax-filing season that begins today.More than half of the expected 133 million individual tax returns will be filed through the IRS’ e-file program this year, IRS commissioner Mark Everson said. Last year, almost 62 million people used e-file, or roughly 49 percent.“We will continue to improve customer service as we work to strengthen our enforcement efforts,” Everson said.The IRS will expand 1040 Central, a one-stop Web shop for tax return needs on . The newly expanded page will connect taxpayers to basic income tax preparation needs, such as key forms, answers to frequently asked questions and critical links to key tax issues.