IRS Direct File for free | Internal Revenue Service

IRS Direct File: File taxes for free directly with IRS

Prepare and file your taxes online – for free – directly with the IRS. Direct File is simple, accurate and secure.

Check if Direct File is right for you

Check eligibility now

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

Direct File will be back in 2025

Direct File will be available when the tax filing season opens in 2025. The federal tax filing deadline is April 15, 2025. Direct File will be available until October 15, 2025.

More taxpayers in more states will be able to file their 2024 federal taxes online – for free – directly with the IRS.

You can use one login and password to securely verify your identity for Direct File and most other tax tools. If you have a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you can sign in with ID.me to access Direct File.

Sign-in to access your IRS Direct File account with ID.me

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
  • 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 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 state-supported preparation and filing tool after you’ve finished your federal return.

Visit the state websites to find information about income tax filing in your state.

If IRS Direct File is not an option for you

If IRS Direct file is not an option for you, there are other ways to file a return:

Online customer support

You can chat live or request a callback from an IRS Direct File customer service representative when you’re logged in. We offer technical support and answer basic tax law questions in English and Spanish.

Questions or issues unrelated to Direct File are routed to other IRS support staff.

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.