Taxpayers with income of $84,000 or less are still able to use a separate Free file program, a partnership between the IRS and several tax software firms to provide free electronic filing of returns. The IRS also provides free online formswithout step-by-step guidance that filers, regardless of income, can use to file federal returns.
Some commercial providers also offer free options for filers based on their income, but consumers sometimes find the terms of the deals confusing. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission found that Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, was deceptive advertising about your free tax filing product. Intuit appealed the decision, and the case is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In an email, the company said it “looks forward to defending itself before a neutral arbitrator, has always been clear, honest and transparent with its clients, and is committed to free tax preparation.”
The start of filing season comes amid a shake-up at IRS leadership. Daniel Werfel, who oversaw the Direct File pilot as agency commissioner, resigned Monday. (Mr. Werfel was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and was expected to serve until the end of 2027. But Mr. Werfel said he resign January 20, citing President Trump's stated plan to name a replacement.)
Here are some questions and answers about Direct File and the 2025 tax season:
Which states will offer Direct File this year?
In addition to the 12 states that offered the tool as a pilot last year—Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming—taxpayers with eligible for the program, 13 additional states can use the system: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
How do I know if I'm eligible to use Direct File?
You must live and work in a participating state for the entirety of 2024 and meet other requirements. To find out if you qualify, check online at IRS.gov.
When is the tax filing deadline this year?
The deadline to file your federal tax return is April 15. The direct file is scheduled to be available until October 15, the deadline for those who have requested an automatic filing extension.
