IRS encourages e-file returns as tax season opens

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Tax season is officially upon us.

The Internal Revenue Service began processing tax returns filed Friday, after a 10-day delay thanks to last fall's government shutdown.

John Koskinen, the new commissioner of the IRS, urged taxpayers to file their individual forms online through the e-file system and to file their returns for free via the Free File program that has been available online since January 17.

“Everybody making less than $58,000 a year, which is about 100 million Americans, has the ability to select from one of the 14 partners we have there and fill out your tax return for free,” Koskinen said.

“With regard to [the Earned Income Tax Credit], that tax software will help you to determine whether or not you’re eligible for the credit. Workers who qualify for the EITC must file a federal income tax return, even if their income is below the filing requirement, to get the return. So we’re working hard to make sure that everybody who is eligible gets their return."

The agency is making help available across social media, including several channels on YouTube, feeds on Twitter and a blog on Tumblr.

[IRS]