State to expand online payment of business taxes

The Illinois Department of Revenue is expected to announce expansion plans this fall for its electronic withholding tax filing program for businesses.

Since the pilot program began in January, the agency has registered 22,000 businesses on its Web site, called Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (www.eftps.com). It allows Illinois companies to file both federal and state withholding taxes in minutes.

Companies, ranging from small mom-and-pop firms to major corporations, have so far paid about $250 million into state coffers.

About 1½ years ago, the U.S. Department of Treasury asked Illinois officials to try this e-filing system. Illinois has so far been the first and only state to use it.

"The Treasury came to us because they knew we were a huge supporter of electronic payments and they were looking for us to volunteer on this pilot program," said Kevin Richards, manager of electronic commerce for the state Department of Revenue in Springfield.

Business owners or other executives just need to register at the Web site and establish a user name and password. There are no filing fees.

Then, business owners can pay the withholding taxes weekly, monthly or according to their regular business schedule, Richards said.

Richards and other department officials are working together to expand the pilot project, possibly into a permanent program.

It would certainly help alleviate the remaining 2.5 million pieces of paper they're still dealing with when companies pay via snail mail.

"We're interested in getting more people to hit the send button, instead of the print button," said Richards.

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