PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE TAX ONLINE FILING UP 70 PERCENT

REVENUE'S ONLINE RESOURCES MAKE MEETING THE JUNE 1 DEADLINE EASY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The convenience and ease of filing online with the Tennessee Department of Revenue has led to a 70 percent increase in online professional privilege tax transactions from 2006 to 2007. With the June 1 filing deadline for professional privilege tax around the corner, members of the 22 professional groups required to file annually can file online quickly and choose one of many payment options available at www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

Simple steps and 24-hour convenience have made filing online increasingly popular. The department’s online tax filing options at www.Tennessee.gov/revenue allow filers to submit information, make a payment or electronic funds transfer, and receive confirmation with just a few clicks of the mouse.

“The Department of Revenue tries to make online professional privilege tax filing as convenient and efficient as possible, and we are glad to see this application is used progressively more,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "We hope that all taxpayers will explore the many benefits of our e-filing and credit card payment services this year.”

Who owes the professional privilege tax?

Taxpayers can make payments, including payment by credit card, using the Department of Revenue’s secure electronic services at www.Tennessee.gov/revenue. MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card are accepted and will be charged an associated 2.49 percent processing fee. Online bill pay, individual income tax, sales tax and consumer use tax can also be paid by credit card via the department's Web site.

In order to assist taxpayers with compliance to electronic filing, the Department of Revenue provides computer access in its offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jackson, Johnson City, Memphis and Nashville. The department also offers an electronic commerce hot line to assist taxpayers and tax practitioners at (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.

Electronic filing of the sales and use tax, consumer use tax, individual income tax, professional privilege tax and minimum franchise and excise tax returns and estimated payments and extensions is available via the department's Web site, www.Tennessee.gov/revenue. Bill payments and many business tax registration activities also can be completed online.

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 2006-2007 fiscal year, the department collected $11 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2006-2007 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.

###