IRS Direct File: File taxes for free directly with IRS

Direct File is now open and available in 25 participating states.

Prepare and file your federal taxes online directly with the IRS.

It’s always free, easy to use, accurate and secure.

Sign in to IRS Direct File

Have an IRS online account? Use the same sign-in for Direct File to verify your identity.

If you have a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), sign in or create an account to verify your identity with ID.me to access Direct File.

New in 2025: Import your tax information directly from the IRS

Direct File can save you time by filling in your W-2 wages and other information.

The deadline to file a 2024 tax return and pay any tax owed is April 15, 2025. Direct File is open until October 15, 2025 for people who may have additional time to file.

Eligibility

You can use Direct File if you lived and worked in a participating state and report certain income, credits and deductions.

Answer a few questions to find out if Direct File is the right option for your 2024 taxes.

Participating states

Direct File is an option if you lived and worked in a participating state for all of 2024.

  • 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

You can't use Direct File if you didn't live and work in one of these states for all of 2024.

Income, credits and deductions supported

You can use IRS Direct File if you have these types of income, credits and deductions:

Income

You can't use Direct File if you had other types of income, such as gig economy, rental or business income.

Credits

If you live in Washington state, Direct File will guide you to your state site where you can apply for the Working Families Tax Credit.

Deductions

You can't use Direct File if you itemize deductions.

Filing state returns

Direct File doesn't prepare state returns. If you need to file a state return, Direct File will guide you to a free state-supported preparation and filing tool after you finish your federal return.

Find state income tax filing information on your state website.

Online customer support

Get help with technical support or basic tax law questions in English and Spanish.

Chat live or request a callback from an IRS Direct File customer support representative when you're logged in.

New this year: get additional support when you opt into additional authentication and verification.

Questions or issues unrelated to Direct File are routed to other IRS customer service representatives.

If IRS Direct File isn't an option for you

There are other ways to file a return including other free options.

Resources

You can confirm the IRS accepted your return. You can also view and download it.

Access your Direct File account and download your return

  1. Go to Direct File and click the Sign-in button.
  2. Select Review to go to your submission details.
  3. Scroll down and select Download my 2023 federal tax return submission.
  4. Print and save the Form 1040 PDF file.

If the IRS accepted your Direct File return

Check your refund or view your balance due in your online account.

​​​​If the IRS rejected your Direct File return

Your Direct File return is not filed if you received an email that the IRS rejected it.

You still need to file your return.

You can’t resubmit a return with Direct File or use guided tax software this year.

To file your return, you can:

To file by paper

  1. Sign in to Direct File and download your return
  2. Review the error. Make sure your personal and employment information is correct.
  3. File a paper Form 1040.
  4. Mail your return to the IRS and attach a copy of the IRS Direct File rejection email.

If you filed a state return for Arizona, California, New York or Massachusetts

Contact your state tax authority if you used a state-supported tool to prepare and file your state tax return.

If you didn’t file your 2023 taxes yet

You can e-file through October 15, 2024. If you attempted to file electronically, follow these correction procedures if it was rejected.

Pay any tax you owe as soon as possible to avoid penalties and interest.

If you don’t usually file

Consider filing your taxes anyway. You could get money back if you:

If you receive an IRS letter about your 2023 taxes

We send notices and letters to ask about your return, alert you about a change to your account or request payment. Reply only if we ask you to or if you don’t agree.

If you received a CP303 Notice after you used Direct File, you don't need to do anything. If you didn’t sign in to Direct File and received this notice, call the number on your notice.

If you find a mistake after you file your taxes

If you made math errors, you generally don’t have to amend a return. We’ll correct those errors and mail you a notice.

If you made other errors, you may want to file an amended return. You can’t use Direct File to file an amended return. Check if you qualify for free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers.

About the IRS Direct File pilot

On May 3, 2024, the IRS released Publication 5969, IRS Direct File Pilot Program: Filing Season 2024 After Action Report PDF. The report examines the Direct File pilot in detail: the pilot itself, the technology and taxpayer experience, Direct File’s innovative customer support system, integration with state tax systems, and the pilot’s cost and benefits.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 27-Jan-2025