TeleFile

The Comptroller's office offers the opportunity to satisfy certain filing requirements by touch-tone phone. If you have a sales tax permit and have no taxable sales to report for the filing period, you can avoid filing a paper return by simply calling us at

1-888-4FILING (1-888-434-5464)

You can also use TeleFile to file past due reports if you received an estimated billing, but had no sales for that period. And, TeleFile is available to change your filing status (you'll receive notification from us if you qualify). TeleFile will ask you for your filing type (how often you file - monthly, quarterly or yearly), taxpayer number, the period for which you are filing, total sales, taxable sales (taxable sales must be zero) and a telephone number.

At the end of the call, you will receive a confirmation number as documentation that you have satisfied filing requirements for the period. You will be given the opportunity to file for multiple periods and to make other changes to your account, such as changing your mailing address, closing a business location or closing your sales tax account altogether.

TeleFile is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You may TeleFile whether you file a "short form" return (form 01-117) or a "long form" return (form 01-114). "Short form" filers have one active location and do not report local sales taxes for jurisdictions outside their business location; "long form" filers have multiple active locations or have one location but report local sales tax for multiple jurisdictions. However, on the long form there is one limitation; in order to TeleFile you must have zero total and taxable sales for all outlets. There is currently no provision in TeleFile to allow you to report total sales OF GREATER THAN ZERO for multiple outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I file by TeleFile?

TeleFile guarantees that the data you report updates to our system electronically. TeleFile eliminates the need for you to file a paper return. TeleFile saves the state time and money by avoiding the costs of processing paper returns.

What is my filing type and period?

You can find your filing type and period on the preprinted tax report you received from our office, in boxes d and e.

If you received an estimated billing for a prior period, you can find your filing type and period on the billing you received. In the top right-hand corner of the Notice of Tax Due, the "period of liability" is printed. If that period is from January 1 to December 31, you are a yearly filer. The period is the two-digit year that represents the year you are filing for. (For example, enter 02 for 2002.)

If the period covered is three months, you are a quarterly filer. The period is the three-digit number that represents the year and quarter you are filing for. (For example, enter 021 if you are filing for the first quarter of 2002.)

If the period covered is one month, you are a monthly filer. The period is the four-digit number that represents the year and month you are filing for. (For example, enter 0201 if you are filing for the first month of 2002.)

Are there limitations on how many old reports I can file via TeleFile?
If you are a yearly filer, you can file two years' worth of old returns. If you are a quarterly filer, you can file four quarters back. Monthly filers can file returns that were due within the past six months.

What happens if I make errors while TeleFiling?

If you make an error while TeleFiling (for example, you keyed your taxpayer number incorrectly), the system will give you two opportunities to correct that error. On the third attempt, the system will take one of two actions: During normal business hours (7:30 am - 5:30 pm), your call will be routed to a tax specialist in our Tax Policy Division. Outside normal business hours, you will be given the number to call for assistance when the office reopens.

I called the TeleFile number using my touch-tone phone and received an error message. What am I doing wrong?

On many "touch-tone" phones, there is a button for you to select the "pulse" or "touch-tone" option. Both use the keypad, but TeleFile only works when the "touch-tone" option is selected.

If I TeleFile, do I still need to send in paper copies of the return?

No. Filing by TeleFile, as long as you complete the call (you will hear a confirmation number at the end), satisfies your filing requirements for a no-tax-due sales tax report.

Thank you for using TeleFile!