RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Tax season has begun for Virginia residents and now taxpayers have a new option for filing online.

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The state Department of Taxation is offering free fillable forms for income tax returns as part of its Virginia Free File program launched last year.

Nearly 2.7 million Virginia taxpayers filed their state returns online last year.

Officials say e-filing is faster and safer than filing a paper return and also speeds up the processing of refunds.

The new fillable forms are online versions of Virginia's 760 return and schedules for Virginia residents.

Most residents will be able to complete the form by computer and file it for free electronically.

There is no income threshold to qualify.