Kansas Introduces Online Income Tax Filing at accessKansas

Business Wire, April 3, 2002

Business Editors

TOPEKA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2002

Last-minute Kansans who filed a 2000 Kansas individual income tax return have a new free Internet-based electronic filing option this year -- Kansas WebFile.

The WebFile service, which was launched Monday by Kansas Department of Revenue Secretary Stephen S. Richards, gives certain taxpayers the opportunity to securely file their Kansas individual income taxes through the Internet, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. WebFile can be found at www.accessKansas.org, the state of Kansas official Web site.

"WebFile tax filing is free and available to all Kansas residents and non-residents who filed a 2000 Kansas income tax return, even those who itemized," said Secretary Richards. "It is the fastest and easiest way to file because there are no special software packages to buy or download."

Individuals need only a personal computer, an Internet connection, W-2 statements, and other filing documents. To access the application, filers may use their Social Security number and one of the following three numbers -- a Personal Identification Number (PIN) provided on the mailing label of their Kansas tax booklet, last year's individual income tax original refund amount, or last year's balance due amount. Refunds can be deposited directly into taxpayers' bank accounts in five to 10 business days, compared to two to eight weeks for paper returns.

If a balance is due, WebFilers can make payments through the accessKansas secure server. MasterCard, Discover, and American Express payments are accepted with a processing fee and electronic checks are honored without a fee. Credit card payments are processed the day payment is made, and bank accounts are debited for electronic check payments on April 15.

The WebFile program also performs most calculations automatically, making the returns virtually error-proof. With the new service, nothing needs to be mailed to the Kansas Department of Revenue. The system provides a confirmation number and a printable copy of the return for personal recordkeeping. Kansas taxpayers also may file an amended K-40 return for the 2001 tax year by using WebFile.

WebFile becomes the fourth electronic option for Kansas individual income tax filers. Other options are PCFile (free downloadable software), TeleFile (a free telephone-based system) and IRS e-file (which files the state return with the federal return).

The Kansas Department of Revenue (www.ksrevenue.org) partnered with the Information Network of Kansas, Inc., to develop the WebFile application.

About accessKansas

The Information Network of Kansas is the agency responsible for accessKansas, the official state Web portal (www.accessKansas.org), and provider of electronic government solutions for the state. The network manager for accessKansas is Kansas Information Consortium, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).