WASHINGTON -- With one week remaining before the April 15 deadline, taxpayers continue submit their tax returns electronically at record levels.Statistics released today by the Internal Revenue Service show that 48.5 million tax returns have been submitted through e-file so far, a pace 12% ahead of last year."To avoid last-minute tax headaches, we urge people to use e-file," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "E-filing is the fastest, easiest way to do taxes. There are fewer errors, and taxpayers get their refunds in less than half the time of paper returns."Through April 2, e-filing remains well ahead of last year's pace. It continues to show strong growth in several areas:Returns filed electronically reached 48.5 million, more than 5 million ahead of last year at this time. Home computer filers submitted more than 11 million returns, an increase of 21.3%. Tax professionals filed more than 34.2 million returns electronically, a 13.7% increase. The Free File program topped 2.7 million returns, a 23% increase. Free File, an e-filing service offered by private companies at no charge, can be accessed by visiting IRS.gov. The IRS is also seeing high use of the "Where's My Refund?" feature on IRS.gov. More than 16.8 million people have visited the site this year to check the status of their refunds."Taxpayers have discovered that 'Where's My Refund?' is a quick, easy way to check on their refunds," Everson said.Taxpayers who file electronically can use the service within 72 hours of submitting their returns. Paper filers can use "Where's My Refund?" three to four weeks after mailing their returns.Web site: http://www.irs.gov/ "