With income tax season officially underway, the state Department of Taxation and Finance, is reminding St. Lawrence County residents and those across the state that e-filing is the most secure way to file tax returns.

New York taxpayers will also have a few extra days to file their personal income tax returns in 2016. This year’s deadline is Monday, April 18. That’s because Washington, D.C., celebrates Emancipation Day on Friday, April 15, pushing the filing deadline to the following Monday for most of the nation.

Those due a refund will receive it up to twice as fast using e-filing compared with those who file on paper.

“It’s 2016, and the vast majority of taxpayers e-file because it’s the fastest, safest, and most accurate way to file—and free for most New Yorkers,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone. “Visit www.tax.ny.gov to learn about the free tax software and preparation assistance available to you.”

In 2015, 9 million, or 91%, of New York taxpayers filed their income taxes electronically. The number of paper returns decreased 15.5% since 2014.

The Tax Department provides a highly secure, encrypted system designed specifically to protect the private information of taxpayers.

E-file software guides taxpayers through the filing process to reduce mistakes and ensure that they don’t miss out on any valuable credits. The error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than it is for paper returns.

It’s free for most. Taxpayers with income under $62,000 are eligible to prepare and electronically file their federal and state returns at no cost by visiting tax.ny.gov now, or one of the 90 free tax assistance sites beginning Jan. 25.

In both cases, user-friendly software walks the taxpayer through the tax return process simply and quickly. The software helps eliminate errors and ensures that taxpayers receive all of the tax credits for which they’re eligible.

Tax Department volunteers staff the free tax assistance sites and are available to guide eligible taxpayers through the tax preparation software. Locations and available times will be listed on the Tax Department’s website as the launch date approaches.

In addition, New York State Web File is free for all eligible New York taxpayers, regardless of income. Visit www.tax.ny.gov to learn more.