NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2003 Electronic Filing Encouraged for Accurate Returns, Faster Refunds (Continued) Electronic Filing Electronic filing is the best way to file an error-free return and receive an income tax refund faster. Taxpayers are encouraged to file via the District's Electronic Taxpayer Service Center (eTSC), Tele-File, or federal/state e-File. Electronic Taxpayer Service Center (eTSC) District taxpayers can file their District tax returns, pay any taxes owed and track their refund status online for free, without the use of a third party vendor, by visiting the eTSC. The site is secure and easy to use. Tracking the status of refunds is available by using your Social Security number and the dollar amount of the refund claimed on your 2001 tax return. Taxpayers must also enter their adjusted gross income to complete the request. When using eTSC, taxpayers are encouraged to use the direct deposit option if they are owed a refund. Tele-File The Office of Tax and Revenue offers Tele-Filing, which allows District taxpayers to use a touch-tone telephone to file their taxes. The Tele-File phone number is 1-800-743-3320. To qualify, taxpayers must be single, have no dependents; have income that is less than $100,000; and have been a resident of the District from January 1 through December 31. Conditions that preclude a person from Tele-Filing include itemizing deductions; filing federal business schedules; making estimated payments; having withholdings from any state other than DC; claiming an exemption for being 65 or older or for being legally blind; filing Schedule H and claiming the Low Income Credit or the DC Earned Income Tax Credit; and having income from sources other than the following: wages, salaries, tips (no more than five Form W-2s); taxable scholarship or fellowship grants; interest and dividends ($1,500 maximum); or unemployment compensation. e-Filing (using a third party vendor) The District of Columbia also offers a full federal/state Electronic Filing (e-File) program for filing individual income tax returns. A taxpayer can file electronically through a tax practitioner or through a commercial online filing service. This online service allows taxpayers to transmit their DC and federal returns electronically from their home PC for a fee. DC taxpayers can access the four participating online filing services—Intuit, TaxSlayer, Tax and Accounting Software and HD Vest—via the Internet. The Intuit Tax Freedom Project also offers taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $27,000 or less the opportunity to file their DC and federal taxes online for free. The DC e-File program had an error rate of less than one percent last year. Paying Taxes by Credit Card Taxpayers can pay any taxes owed using a Discover/NOVUS, MasterCard, VISA or American Express card by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAX, (272-9829) and then entering 6000, seven-days-a-week, 24-hours-a-day. Taxes will be paid directly with the credit card processing vendor, Official Payments Corporation. The Office of Tax and Revenue will receive the credit card transaction from the vendor and immediately apply it to the taxpayer's account. Official Payments Corporation will charge taxpayers a 2.5 percent fee for this service. This fee is sent directly to the Official Payments Corporation and not to the District government. Page 2 of 3      1  2  3