Not taxing: E-filing breaks record

As of April 13, a record number of taxpayers — more than 17.6 million — had filed their returns electronically, a 15 percent increase over last year at this time, the Internal Revenue Service announced.

That number surpassed last year’s yearlong total of 17.1 million e-filed returns, according to the agency.

“We are seeing the greatest growth for e-file among those filing from a home computer,” IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said. “We have already surpassed last year’s total, and people can e-file, with an extension, until Oct. 16.”

The agency said it expects to grant 9.6 million extensions during 2006. Taxpayers can get an automatic six-month extension to file their tax returns.