Baton Rouge, La (NBC33) — Louisiana taxpayers can choose a paper check for their state income tax refunds beginning with returns filed for the 2012 tax year.

The paper state individual income tax return (Form IT-540) includes the option on line 36 of the form.

Taxpayers who do not make a selection on the paper form will receive their refunds on a pre-loaded debit card.

Taxpayers filing their tax returns electronically can choose a paper check, the debit card, or direct deposit.

The Department of Revenue encourages electronic filing for all income tax returns. It is the most error-free method of tax filing and provides the fastest processing time for refunds. Visit www.revenue.louisiana.gov/fileonline to use Louisiana File Online, the state’s free tax-filing web application.