Topeka ? The state Department of Revenue is asking state lawmakers to allow it to charge Kansans fees for filing tax returns on paper.

The proposed fees are designed to encourage people to file their returns electronically.

Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagnon on Thursday told lawmakers that the proposed fees would offset the costs of state employees processing paper returns.

The department is proposing charging $25 to file a paper income tax return and $5 for a paper sales or user tax return. And having your return sent as a paper check would cost another $10.

The department is also reducing printing costs by not printing as many instruction tax booklets, and is charging tax preparers $25 for the printed booklets.