In an effort to promote electronic filing, the state Department of Taxation is eliminating the $2.50 fee previously required when filing and making a payment electronically through the department's Web site.

Effective 11 a.m. Monday, taxpayers wishing to file returns online and pay their taxes electronically can do so at no cost.

"The Tax Department felt that the fee discouraged taxpayers from e-filing, and is now strongly encouraging all taxpayers to e-file and e-pay," the department said in a news release.

The state's Web site address for e-filing and e-paying is: www.ehawaii.gov/efile. For more information on electronic filing go to: https://www.ehawaii.gov/dotax/html/FAQ.html. Information also is available by calling the Tax Department's Call Center at 587-4242, or toll free at 800-222-3229.

The deadline for filing state individual returns is April 20. Taxpayers have the option of paying online by credit card or by electronic check. For taxpayers paying with a credit card, an additional credit card processing fee is charged.