The IRS reports that the fifteenth year of electronic tax filing is off to a strong start, recording a 27.7% increase in e-filing for this opening weekend of the tax season.

The IRS expects one in four taxpayers will file electronically this year, representing over 33 million returns. "We're working to get the other three to join us," said Robert Barr, IRS Assistant Commissioner for Electronic Tax Administration.

For those who owe taxes,only e-filers can have the payment taken directly from a checking or savings account by authorizing a direct debit on a selected date. Thus, they can file early but have the payment occur as late as the tax deadline.

Some computer filers will also have an option to include a credit card charge for taxes owed with their e-filing information. Tax preparation software from Intuit will allow
users to charge a balance due to a Discover Card, and professional preparers using Orrtax software will be able to offer their clients the option of charging a balance due to an American Express, MasterCard or Discover Card account.