The IRS reported that e-filing of individual income tax returns was up this year. More than 43 million taxpayers self-prepared and e-filed their returns using their computers, which is an increase of 4.4% over last year. The IRS also issued more than 101 million tax refunds totaling nearly $268 billion; 80% of refunds were direct deposited rather than mailed. Overall, the number of returns filed was down about a half a percent (129,674,000 this year versus 130,261,000 in 2012). Tax receipts were down by 0.8%.
Source: IR-2013-52
Items, such as interest, state and local income and sales taxes, charitable contributions, and medical deductions, claimed on Schedule A of Form 1040. Itemized deductions are subtracted from adjusted gross income to arrive at taxable income. The amount of itemized deductions is also subject to a reduction when adjusted gross income exceeds certain limits.