2006 News Releases
For Immediate Release: July 27, 2006
MORE THAN $4 BILLION IN TENNESSEE SALES AND USE TAX FILED ONLINE DURING FIRST THREE YEARS OF AVAILABILITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than $4 billion in tax was filed through the Tennessee Department of Revenue's online sales and use tax filing service during its first three years of operation. Since the online service launched July 1, 2003, $4,113,058,725 in Tennessee sales and use tax has been remitted through e-filing options, reducing postage and processing costs to the state and providing a convenient option for taxpayers and practitioners. 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.
"The Department of Revenue strives to maximize operational efficiencies and provide convenient services to our customers,'" said Revenue Commissioner Loren L. Chumley. "It is exciting and rewarding to see our sales and use tax e-filing option dramatically increase in usage over the past three years. We continue to launch other electronic tax filing options that offer 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.TN.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.TN.gov/revenue. Bill payments and many business tax registration activities also can be completed online. Also available on Revenue's Web site is information about electronic filing options for motor fuel taxes and information about electronic funds transfer.
The Department of Revenue provides computer access to customers who don't have such technology, so they can file their taxes online at its offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jackson, Johnson City, Memphis and Nashville.
The department offers an electronic commerce hot line to assist taxpayers and tax practitioners who use the department's ever-expanding suite of electronic tax filing options. The statewide toll-free phone number is (866) 368-6374. Nashville-area and out-of-state callers should dial (615) 253-0704.
All taxpayer data, whether paper or electronic, filed with the Department of Revenue is confidential data protected under Tennessee law.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the department collected $10.3 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.8 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2005-2006 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.TN.gov/revenue.
###
