| How does efile work? | Top |
| Your tax return is completed on a personal computer and transmitted through a secure connection to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS checks the return and notifies the transmitter (either you or your tax preparer) whether the return is accepted or rejected. If the IRS accepts your federal return (usually within 24 hours), the state return is transmitted to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. The state return is usually received within three days of the initial transmission. Both the IRS and the department issue acknowledgments (electronic confirmations) when the federal and state returns are received and accepted. OnLine Taxes will send you an e-mail notification of the acknowledgement, or you can log in at any time to check on the status of your return. | |
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| What are the benefits of e-filing? |
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| These are the benefits of e-filing: Convenience. You can electronically file 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Security. Your tax return information is encrypted and transmitted over secure lines to ensure confidentiality. Accuracy. Electronic filed returns have 13 percent fewer errors than paper returns.
Direct Deposit. You can have your refund direct deposited into your bank account. Proof of Filing. An acknowledgment is issued when your return is received and accepted.
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| Can I e-file my state return by itself? | Top |
If you are not able to E-file your federal and state returns at the same time, or are not required to file a federal return, you can E-file your New York return as a State-Only return through the E-file program (if your software provider supports State-Only filing). Not all providers support State-Only filing and some have restrictions. Reminder: If you are required to file a federal return, you must complete your federal return first before completing your New York return.
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| Is it safe and secure to E-file? | Top |
| Yes. Your tax information is encrypted and transmitted
over secure phone lines to ensure confidentiality. |
| Is there a fee for e-file? | Top |
The IRS and state do not charge a fee for e-filing. However, the electronic return originator (ERO) offering this service to taxpayers may charge a fee for the transmission. There are never any hidden fees with OnLine Taxes at olt.com! Click below for OnLine Taxes Pricing Information:
Payment Options |
| How do I know if my e-filed return has been received? | Top |
Acknowledgments (electronic confirmations) are issued online by the IRS and state when the returns are received and approved. The federal acknowledgment is received first since the federal return is transmitted first. If there are no errors, an acknowledgment is usually received within 24 hours of the transmission. If the IRS detects an error, an error message is sent back to you or your preparer for corrections to be made. Once the corrections are made, the returns are re-transmitted to the IRS. If the federal return is accepted, the IRS transmits the state return. The state return is usually received within three days of a correct transmission to the IRS. An acknowledgment is also issued by the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. OnLine Taxes will send out automatic status email notifications to you when we receive acknowledgement from either the IRS or state department. You may log in to the site at any time to check on the status of your return.
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| What if I owe money? | Top |
You can file your return electronically any time during the filing season. Payment must be made by April 15th to avoid interest and penalty charges. You can pay your balance due to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance by check or electronically. To pay by check, make your check payable to the NYS Personal Income Tax and mail it along with the department’s payment voucher Form IT-201-V, to the address indicated on the voucher. OnLine Taxes will produce a payment voucher for your convenience with your forms if you owe. Click here to go to the New York forms page, To pay electronically, visit NY Tax Payments The department accepts MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express and Electronic Funds Withdrawal (direct debit). |
| Can I have my refund direct deposited into my bank account? | Top |
Yes. E-file allows you to enter your bank account number and routing number so your refund can be direct deposited. If you file your return early in the season (i.e., January - February) you can, in general, expect to receive your refund much sooner. If you e-file, you can expect to receive your refund in about half the time than if you file using a paper return. Generally direct deposited refunds are received much quicker than refunds which are mailed. |
| Do I need to submit any paperwork or supporting documentation? | Top |
For all E-filed returns that were not signed using a personal income tax PIN (personal identification number), Form IT-201-E, Declaration for E-filing of Income Tax Return, must be completed and submitted along with Forms W2, W-2G, 1099-R and any other required attachments. If you do not use the PIN Program option for your federal return, you will need to sign a signature document (Form 8453, US Individual Income Tax Declaration). Form 8453 should not be mailed to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. OnLine Taxes will provide these forms for you if applicable.
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| How do I sign my electronic return? | Top |
The Personal Identification Number (PIN) is your signature for your New York return. For all e-filed returns that were not signed using a personal income tax PIN (personal identification number), Form IT-201-E, Declaration for E-filing of Income Tax Return, must be completed and submitted along with Forms W2, W-2G, 1099-R and any other required attachments. The federal return offers the PIN option, or you can sign a signature document (Form 8453, US Individual Income Tax Declaration). Form 8453 should not be mailed to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. OnLine Taxes will provide this form along with your other forms for you to print and keep for your records or mail in if applicable.
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| How do I amend my e-filed return? | Top |
All amended returns must be completed on a paper form Form IT-201-X and mailed in to the Department of Taxation and Finance. Click here to go to the New York forms page |
