(MONEY Magazine) – Rush Your Refund

For the 70% of taxpayers who will get money back from the IRS this year, there are some surefire ways to speed up the wheels of bureaucracy.

• START NOW Filing early means the people who receive your return will be less busy and thus can process it faster.

• FILE ELECTRONICALLY This ensures that your return will be received the moment it's sent. Many software packages offer e-filing, usually for a fee ($8 to $32). C.P.A.s and other tax pros often include this service in their fees. But if your adjusted gross income is $52,000 or less, you can e-file for free (www.irs.gov/efile).

• REQUEST DIRECT DEPOSIT Direct refunds generally arrive in eight to 15 days, whereas a check can take up to six weeks.