State tax filing season begins

Last year, electronic filing increased by 2% as over 100,000 more Virginians took advantage of this option. Filing returns electronically has many benefits:

Electronically filed returns are typically processed within two weeks, while mailed returns may take up to eight weeks or longer to process;

Residents are less likely to make common mistakes such as putting the wrong number in the wrong place or making math errors;

Electronic filing meets strict security guidelines to protect tax returns; and

Taxpayers get confirmation the return was filed.

If income was $73,000 or less in 2021, residents are eligible to file taxes for free.

Virginia Tax takes refund fraud seriously and encourages residents to do the same.

The automated system reviews returns for suspicious activity or possible fraud, then employees manually evaluate the returns selected for review.

Filing early helps ensure the fastest possible refund if a return is selected for review.