FRANKFORT, Ky.— The Finance and Administration Cabinet’s Department of Revenue (DOR) strongly encourages Kentucky taxpayers to file electronically again this year. Benefits of using the e-file method result in reduced tax preparation time, accuracy of returns, acknowledgement of the receipt of your return and faster refunds. Taxpayers using e-filing along with direct deposit may receive refunds in fewer than 14 business days.

“Revenue receives in excess of three million pieces of mail between January and May of each year and paper returns must be opened, sorted and manually entered,” Secretary Robbie Rudolph said. “Electronic filing allows your information to go directly into the system, reducing error and delay and allowing your refund to be direct deposited to your financial institution.”

If you do not file electronic returns, DOR advises that you choose tax preparation software that prints a 2-D barcode in the upper right hand corner of the return. This barcode allows your tax information to be scanned directly into DOR systems, alleviating the need for data entry and reducing error or delay. A list of tax software companies offering 2-D barcoding for Kentucky is available on DOR’s Web site at www.revenue.ky.gov/individual/approvedsoftware.htm .

If you owe money, you may pay your 2004 Kentucky individual income tax online with your Visa or MasterCard through April 15, 2005.  Credit card payments may be made over the Internet by accessing DOR’s Web site at www.revenue.ky.gov and clicking on the KY E-Tax in the top right hand corner of the DOR Web site front page. If you do not have access to the Internet and wish to pay your taxes by credit card, contact the DOR at (502) 564-4581.

All Kentucky income tax forms are available by accessing the DOR’s Web site under the heading Forms or by calling (502) 564-3658. Forms may also be obtained through the Fax on Demand system by calling (502) 564-4459 and following the automated menu instructions. The requested forms will be delivered to your fax machine in minutes. Forms are also available from any of the 10 field offices located throughout the state, which are listed at http://www.revenue.ky.gov/aboutus/taxpayerservicecenters.htm and most local post offices, financial institutions and libraries.

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