(Washington, DC) As 2007 begins, the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) is making the new filing season less taxing for District residents by offering electronic filing for a faster refund, extended service hours and a redesigned tax booklet. Taxpayers will also benefit from a number of tax law changes this year, which include an increased personal exemption and standard deduction.
“We are committed to providing taxpayers with the information and services they need to meet their tax obligations quickly and easily,” said Sherryl Hobbs Newman, deputy chief financial officer for tax and revenue.
Newman encourages taxpayers to file their returns electronically to ensure an accurate return and to receive their refund more quickly, usually within three to five days. OTR offers two electronic ways to file: the free electronic Taxpayer Service Center (eTSC) and the federal/state e-file program. With the eTSC taxpayers can file and pay their taxes online and check the status of their refund. The federal/state e-file program allows taxpayers to transmit both their DC and federal returns electronically using an approved commercial software program, either from their home computer or with the assistance of a tax practitioner.
District taxpayers will get extra time to file their income tax return this year. Because April 15 falls on a Sunday and April 16 is a legal holiday in the District–Emancipation Day–the filing deadline is extended to Tuesday, April 17.
OTR customer service representatives are available to assist taxpayers Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm by calling (202) 727-4TAX or visiting the walk-in service center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, on the first floor. Extended service hours will be available April 2-17 from 8:15 am to 8 pm.