IRS Direct File - A free, easy and secure way to prepare and file 2024 taxes online
- shaybachelder
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
I wanted to share the following information directly from the IRS in regards to their Direct File program that is available for taxpayers here in Oregon (and many other states... keep reading :)
I know tax preparation can be expensive and if it's possible to do it for free, I wanted to make sure you have the information. I am available for consulting and questions even if you decide to prepare their return yourself. Schedule your virtual consultation here:
IRS NEWSWIRE RELEASE FS-2025-02
More taxpayers in more states will be able to file their 2024 federal taxes directly with the IRS for free. This filing season, Direct File includes new features to make filing taxes quicker and easier.
With IRS Direct File, eligible taxpayers can:
Prepare and file a 2024 federal tax return online – for free – in English or Spanish
Import data from their IRS account, including personal information, their IP PIN and some information from their W-2, if it’s available
Add their tax information with step-by-step guidance
Connect with their state filing tool to file for free
Get help in English and Spanish in real-time live chat with IRS customer support specialists for Direct File
Use smartphones, laptops, tablets and desktop computers to file online
This year, Direct File is open to eligible taxpayers in 25 participating states to file their taxes directly with the IRS for free: 12 states that were part of the pilot last year, plus 13 new states where Direct File is available in 2025.Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
EligibilityTaxpayers who lived and worked in one of the 25 participating states for all of 2024 can use Direct File if they report:
W-2 wage income
SSA-1099 Social Security income
1099-G unemployment compensation
1099-INT interest income
1099-MISC for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
Starting March 5, 2025, taxpayers can use Direct File to report:
1099-R retirement income
Contributions to and most distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, like a 401(k), pension, annuity, 403(b), or governmental 457(b)
Direct rollovers from one employer-sponsored retirement plan to another, or to an IRA
Taxpayers can't use Direct File if they had other types of income, such as gig economy, rental income or business income.
Taxpayers can use Direct File to claim these credits:
Earned Income Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Credit for Other Dependents
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Premium Tax Credit for Marketplace Health insurance coverage
Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit
Taxpayers who live in Washington state will be guided to the state’s website to apply for the Working Families Tax Credit.
DeductionsTaxpayers can use Direct File to claim these deductions:
Standard deduction
Student loan interest
Educator expenses
Health Savings Account contributions
Taxpayers can't use Direct File if they itemize deductions or claim other tax deductions.
How to file using IRS Direct File
Go 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.
Eligible taxpayers who have a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), may sign in or create an account to verify their identity to access Direct File. The IRS lets you access most tax tools with one account using the same login and password. If you already have an IRS online account, you can use the same sign-in for Direct File.
Complete your return – Direct File will guide you through a series of questions 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 federal return! Direct File will email you once your return has been accepted by the IRS.
File your state return. If you need to file a state return, Direct File will connect you with your state’s online free 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.
Direct File saves taxpayers time by allowing them to import certain data from their IRS account. Taxpayers can review and edit the information before the return is submitted to the IRS.
Direct File can import the following information:
Employment and federal wage information from your Form W-2, if it’s available
Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if you use one
Your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Your name, date of birth, mailing address, email address and phone number
While there are no income limits for Direct File, additional limitations apply to taxpayers with household wages exceeding $125,000.
Currently, Direct File does not support all tax situations for all taxpayers.
You can’t use Direct File if:
Your wages exceed $200,000 ($168,600 if you had more than one employer)
You file as Married Filing Jointly, and your spouse’s wages are more than $200,000 ($168,600 if your spouse had more than one employer)
You file as Married Filing Jointly, and you and your spouse's wages are more than $250,000
You file as Married Filing Separately, and your wages are more than $125,000
Taxpayers can get help with technical support or basic tax law questions from IRS customer service representatives through live chat in English and Spanish.
You can chat live or request a callback from an IRS Direct File customer support specialist when you’re logged in.
New this year: You can opt into additional authentication and verification, which will allow customer support specialists to provide more detailed support.
Questions or issues unrelated to Direct File are routed to other IRS support staff.
If you decide to try this free file system, I would love to hear how it goes in the comments or via DM. Thanks!
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