About Half of All Taxpayers Will Be Able To File for Free This Year: Here’s How

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Tax season is quickly approaching. Whether you worked full-time, part-time or freelanced in 2024, you likely have to file a tax return no matter what. If you’re like the average American, you probably spend a lot of money and time filing your tax return.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the average American spends about $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes. That’s no small chunk of change or time. But this year, many Americans can file their federal tax returns quickly, easily and for free thanks to IRS Direct File.

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS is able to provide more than 30 million Americans with the option to file their taxes for free,” explained Janet L. Yellen, secretary of the Treasury. “By doubling the number of participating states and expanding eligibility, Direct File has the potential to save Americans tens of millions of dollars in filing fees in the upcoming filing season.”

The program is available in both English and Spanish and accessible via desktop, smartphone or tablet. Here are the states participating in the IRS Direct File program, alongside who qualifies and how to file.

In Which States Will IRS Direct File Be Available In 2025?

For the 2025 filing season (tax year 2024), IRS Direct File will be available in 25 states:

• 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
• Wyoming

Many tax filers using IRS Direct File may also be eligible to file their state tax returns as well.

Find Out If You Qualify for IRS Direct File

IRS Direct File is available to those who live in work in one of the 25 states listed above and who report certain income, credits and deductions. You’ll need to use the IRS Direct File eligibility checker and answer a few questions to determine your eligibility.

The new chatbot feature can assist with eligibility guidance and you’ll have access to live support from the IRS, Monday to Friday from 7 A.M. to 10 P.M. EST.  

How To File Your Tax Return With IRS Direct File

It’s easy: check out the IRS Direct File web page to get started. If you already have an IRS account, simply log in. If not, you can access Direct File by creating an account, providing your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and verifying your identity with ID.me.

The deadline to file your 2024 tax return is April 15, 2025.

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