NEARLY $2 BILLION IN TENNESSEE SALES AND USE TAX FILED
ONLINE DURING FIRST TWO YEARS OF SERVICE

REVENUE'S E-FILING OPTION GROWS IN POPULARITY AMONG CUSTOMERS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nearly $2 billion in tax was filed through the Tennessee Department of Revenue's online sales and use tax filing service during its first two years of operation. Since the online service launched July 1, 2003, $1,977,952,711 in Tennessee sales and use tax has been remitted through e-filing options, reducing postage and processing costs to the state. Nearly $534,000,000 was filed during the first year of the service, and more than $1.4 billion was filed in the second year.

"One of the Department of Revenue's foremost goals is to develop into a true 'digital department,'" said Revenue Commissioner Loren L. Chumley. "Our increasingly popular sales and use tax e-filing option is one element of our ever-expanding suite of electronic tax filing options that offers convenience and peace of mind to our customers and cost-savings to the state."

The online sales and use tax filing option, as well as an online demonstration, can be accessed by visiting www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

In addition to using the state's Web site, taxpayers may file electronically using software available through one of several certified software vendors. Visit Revenue's Web site to learn more about the wide array of electronic filing options.

Electronic filing of the sales and use tax, consumer use tax, individual income tax, professional privilege tax, and franchise and excise tax minimum and estimated payment returns and extensions is available via the department's Web site, www.Tennessee.gov/revenue. The newest application launched allows bill payments to be made online. Many business tax registration activities also can be done online, including making address changes and opening or closing sales tax accounts. Information about motor fuel tax electronic data interchange and sales and use tax certified software providers is available on Revenue's Web site. Electronic funds transfer is also available on the Web site.

The Department of Revenue offers computer access to customers who don't have such technology, so they can file their taxes online. Computer access is available in the department's offices in Chattanooga, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.   Interested tax filers must be registered and have an account with the Department of Revenue. Customers may register when they come to the department. Those interested should prepare their data beforehand and bring their tax information with them.

All taxpayer data, whether paper or electronic, filed with the Department of Revenue is confidential data protected under Tennessee law.

The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the department collected $9.1 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.6 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

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