This filing season, for the first time, eligible taxpayers can file their taxes electronically, directly, and for free with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in its brand-new Direct File service. Direct File makes filing taxes easy with a step-by-step checklist, guiding taxpayers through the filing process.
Filing taxes is expensive and time consuming for American taxpayers. On average, taxpayers spend approximately 13 hours and $270 preparing their taxes each year. In May 2023, IRS delivered a report required by the Inflation Reduction Act on the feasibility of implementing an IRS-run direct e-filing system and found that taxpayers have trust in an IRS-provided Direct File tool and that a significant majority of American taxpayers – 72 percent – support having the option to file their taxes for free directly with the IRS.
Dozens of other countries have provided free tax filing options to their citizens, and American taxpayers who want to file their taxes for free online should have an accessible option. Providing taxpayers an option to file their taxes online directly with the IRS advances the goal of making the IRS a world class customer service agency, with the ability for taxpayers to interact with the IRS in the ways that work best for them.
File for Free with IRS Direct File
What is Direct File?
- Direct File is a historic new IRS service that allows eligible taxpayers to prepare and file their tax return online, for free, including access to help from dedicated IRS Direct File customer support representatives.
- Direct File is accessible in English and Spanish in 2024, and taxpayers can access it and file at directfile.irs.gov using their smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.
Is the Direct File pilot right for me?
- You’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien living in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington or Wyoming.
AND
You have one or more of these types of income:
- W-2 income
- SSA-1099 Social Security Benefits
- 1099-G unemployment compensation
- 1099-INT interest income$1,500 or less
You want to take any of these deductions:
- Standard deduction
- Educator expense deduction
- Student loan interest deduction
You want to take these tax credits:
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Credit for Other Dependents
- You’re a non-resident alien or dual status
- You're not a resident of one of the 12 participating states
- You're a noncustodial parent who claims qualifying children through Form 8332
- You worked in a different state than where you resided.
- You have contributions to or distributions from a health savings account (HSA)
You have one or more of these types of income:
- 1099-INT interest income above $1,500
- 1099-K
- 1099-NEC
- 1099-R Retirement income (including rollovers)
- Business income
- Capital gains
- Dividends
- Gig economy
You want to take these deductions and credits:
- Itemized deductions
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Premium Tax Credit (1095A, Marketplace)
- Saver's Credit
- American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit.
If you are a taxpayer in the following 12 states meeting the eligibility requirements above, you can use Direct File this filing season: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming.
- Taxpayers using Direct File are also able to complete their state taxes quickly and easily. After completing their federal returns in Direct File, taxpayers are connected to their state’s tax filing tool. If taxpayers live in Arizona, California, Massachusetts or New York, the Direct File pilot will guide users to a state-supported tool to prepare and file the state tax return. For residents of Washington State, Direct File will guide potentially eligible user to a state site where to apply for the Working Families Tax Credit.
- The Direct File pilot is not mandatory for any taxpayer. Eligible taxpayers may choose to participate in the 2024 pilot to file their tax year 2023 federal tax return for free, directly with the IRS. Participants have the option to change to one of the other filing methods at any time.
How to File Your Taxes for Free Using IRS Direct File
Head to directfile.irs.gov to check your eligibility and see if Direct File is a good fit for you. (If you’re not eligible, we’ll connect you to alternative filing options.)
Create an IRS account using your email and a secure password. Verify your identity by uploading a photo or video. (Live customer support is always available if you need it.)
Complete your return – Direct File will guide you through a series of question to help you file quickly and easily. (You can get support from dedicated IRS customer support specialists through a live chat feature if you need help.)
Review your return, input your payment or refund information, and submit your return! Direct File will notify you in the product and via email you once your return has been accepted.
If you need to file a state return, Direct File will connect you with your state’s online filing tool to help you get started. In many cases, Direct File users can even import their federal return data directly to their state tool.
Outreach Corner
How You Can Help Get the Word Out!
