CREDIT CARD NOW ACCEPTED FOR FRANCHISE AND EXCISE TAX
REVENUE ADDS TO EXPANDING LIST OF ELECTRONIC SERVICES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Revenue now allows credit card payments for franchise and excise tax minimum returns, estimated payments and extensions, providing taxpayers with flexibility and choice in satisfying their tax obligations.
“Adding franchise and excise tax payment by credit card to our growing list of online payment options is a great convenience,” said Commissioner Reagan Farr. “It saves our customers valuable time. We are committed to expanding payment options and simplifying filing requirements.”
Taxpayers can take make payments using the Department of Revenue’s secure electronic services accessible 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, professional privilege tax, 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.
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