In an indication of the growing tech-savvy taxpayers opting for e-payment for filing tax returns, the Income Tax department has registered a seven-fold increase in the number of people using the paperless facility since last year.

While 8.85 per cent tax payers filed their returns through the electronic payment facility this year, it was only 1.16 per cent last year.

The facility is also secured against possible data loss. The number of e-returns also grew by 12 times as 12.49-lakh tax payers chose the electronic medium to pay their taxes as compared to a mere 1.46-lakh tax payers during last year.

Maharashtra topped the list of e-returns with 278,112 returns while Delhi contributed 153,992 and Karnataka with 144,287. Tamil Nadu registered 118,354 e-returns and 115,798 filed e-returns in Gujarat till July 31 this year.

The tally comprises both voluntary returns (individuals and non corporate) and mandatory returns (corporates & large firms).

Transmission of data through this facility is processed through a fully encrypted website and has a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) authentication.

The servers of the department received 31,740 returns per hour at peak rate, utilising a peak bandwith of 53 mbps of the internet to receive the same data.

The e-returns are filed in a one-page ITR-V form which also bears acknowledgment and verification details along with the PAN number of the tax payer, an official said.

Through the e-return facility, payments can be made electronically through the internet with the help of credit or debit cards. The e-payment scheme is mandatory for all corporate assesses and assesses (other than company) to whom provisions of section 44AB of the Income Tax Act are applicable, according to a notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).