IRS breaks records with e-file activity this Spring

The Internal Revenue Service has announced a record 90 million tax returns were filed electronically this year, led by a big increase in people using home computers.

For the first time, more than 30 million individual income tax returns were filed from home computers. By April 24, the IRS had accepted 31.2 million returns filed from home computers, up 19.3 percent from the same time last.

IRS e-file broke the 90 million mark this year. By April 24, the IRS had accepted 90.6 million income tax returns through e-file, up almost 6 percent compared to the same time last year.

"E-file is a great option for taxpayers, and this year's record is another sign people enjoy the speed and accuracy of e-file," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We remind taxpayers with extensions who haven't filed yet that they can still take advantage of e-file."

A higher percentage of the population is choosing to e-file this year. As of April 24, almost 70 percent of individuals chose to e-file their tax returns, compared to 61 percent for the same time last year. The IRS will continue to accept income tax returns through IRS e-file and Free File until October 15.

According to the IRS, an electronically prepared and filed return has an error rate of less than 1 percent, compared to an error rate of about 20 percent for a paper prepared return.