South Carolina continues to see growth in the number of individual income tax returns filed electronically.  The tax year 2011 total reached 1,778,303 returns for an increase of 5% over the prior year.  For the year, the South Carolina Department of Revenue received 78% of all individual income tax returns filed electronically.  Based on statistics compiled annually by the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA), South Carolina has ranked in the top 15 states each of the last 14 years in the percentage of taxpayers filing their individual income tax returns electronically. 

SC DOR has achieved a leadership role by recognizing the citizenry of South Carolina's desire for efficient and fast tax filing and/or payment.  Electronic filing offers the fastest and most accurate way of capturing taxpayer data.  It also reduces errors on returns and saves taxpayer dollars.

If taxpayers are receiving a refund, electronic filing provides the option of having refunds direct deposited into a taxpayer's bank account.  Taxpayers generally receive their refunds by direct deposit in about twelve days.  Taxpayers that opt to receive a debit card or paper check will receive them in less than three weeks.  Taxpayers with a balance due may also file and pay electronically. 

Tax payments may be made timely through May 1, 2013.  Taxpayers may submit payment by:

• mailing a payment voucher (SC1040-V) and paper check
• by credit card (if you file a SC 1040-V via DOR EPay)
• by electronic funds withdrawal (EFW) (SC EFile method OR file a SC 1040-V via DOR EPay)   

Taxpayers that file by SC EFile methods have until May 1, 2013 to both file their return and pay any balance due with no penalty or interest being incurred.  THIS SPECIAL INCENTIVE DOES NOT APPLY TO FEDERAL RETURNS OR TO SOUTH CAROLINA TAXPAYERS THAT FILE PAPER RETURNS!