The Direct File Office is responsible for IRS Direct File, which gives taxpayers the option to file their federal tax return online for free – directly with the IRS – beginning in filing season 2025. Mission Make tax filing easy and accessible by providing a free option to file directly with IRS to help taxpayers meet their obligations and receive the tax incentives for which they are eligible. Overview The Direct File Office is responsible for delivery, management and oversight of Direct File. By creating an online filing option for taxpayers to file federal income tax returns – for free – directly with the IRS, we’re working to improve the taxpayer experience. We continue to expand Direct File to more taxpayers in the 2025 filing season and beyond, including covering more tax situations and inviting all states to partner with Direct File. Vision The IRS’s vision for Direct File revolves around three themes: Get it right from the start. We’re committed to help every taxpayer file an accurate return and get the tax benefits to which they’re entitled. Taxpayers shouldn't have to worry about making a mistake or missing out on valuable credits and deductions. Direct File is one way we can increase the fairness of our tax system. Taxes are the product. We seek to improve the experience of filing taxes. Direct File is an opportunity to make the process simpler, with clear explanations and less burden for taxpayers. We continue to make taxes easy and accessible to everyone with increased customer support, outreach and tax help. One option among many. While Direct File ensures the availability of a free filing option, it’s essential that taxpayers can choose to file however they want, even if it’s on paper. The Direct File programs shares lessons learned and technology across the IRS to make everyone’s tax filing experience better, no matter how they file. Objectives Direct File is an important part of our effort to meet taxpayers where they are, give them choices as to what best meets their needs when interacting with the IRS, or otherwise meet their tax obligations as easily and quickly as possible. And it is a key component of our modernization efforts detailed in the annual update to our Strategic Operating Plan PDF. We’ve designed Direct File to be an interview-based service that is intended to work as well on a mobile phone as it does on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. It is available in English and Spanish and is accessible to taxpayers who have a variety of attitudes, aptitudes, abilities and access needs. Strategic priorities Direct File is part of the IRS’s Inflation Reduction Act Strategic Operating Plan to transform the taxpayer experience. Our priorities are to: Provide taxpayers the option to file their federal tax return online for free, directly with the IRS Improve the Direct File filing experience and increase accessibility Develop Direct File to meet the nation’s future needs to expand it to more taxpayers Management team Bridget Roberts, Chief, Direct File Resources and tools IRS Direct File Report to Congress, Publication 5788 PDF IRS Direct File Pilot Program: Filing Season 2024 After Action Report, Publication 5969 PDF IR-2024-151, May 30, 2024: IRS makes Direct File a permanent option to file federal tax returns; expanded access for more taxpayers planned for the 2025 filing season IR-2024-258, Oct. 3, 2024: IRS Direct File set to expand availability in a dozen new states and cover wider range of tax situations for the 2025 tax filing season
