Map Shows 25 States You Can Use Direct File To Submit Taxes

Tax season is fully in swing, with tens of millions of Americans having already submitted their returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and getting their refund.

IRS launched its Direct File pilot in 12 U.S. states in March 2024, which has now been expanded to 25 states. It allows taxpayers to submit simple returns directly with the government agency completely free of charge, eliminating the need to use a third-party tax preparation service.

Who Can Use Direct File?

You can use Direct File for your federal taxes if you lived and worked in these states 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

The type of tax returns you will be making also matter, with more complex tax matters not currently covered under Direct File.

Income returns

The following income types can be reported using Direct File:

• W-2 wage income
• SSA-1099 Social Security income
• 1099-G unemployment compensation
• 1099-INT interest income
• 1099-R retirement income
• 1099-MISC for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend

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

Tax credits

The types of tax credits accepted have also been expanded. During the 2024 pilot, Direct File supported taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents.

In 2025, Direct File will also cover taxpayers claiming the following:

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Credit for Other Dependents
• Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Premium Tax Credit
• Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
• Retirement Savings Contributions Credit

Deductions

The following deductions are accepted:

• Standard deduction
• Student loan interest
• Educator expenses
• Health Savings Account contributions

You are not able to use Direct File if you itemize deductions.

Improvements for 2025

After last year’s pilot, IRS has added new importation features to make the filing process easier. If you’re the primary filer, Direct File can help import your:

• Employment and federal wage information from your Form W-2
• Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if you use one
• Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Relevant personal information such as your name, date of birth, mailing address, email address, and phone number

You can review the information you import before you submit it to IRS.

Key Tax Deadlines for 2025

• April 15: National deadline to file your 2024 tax return. Also the first estimated tax payment for 2025 is due. This payment applies to income earned from January 1 to March 31, 2025.
• June 16: Deadline for the second estimated tax payment for 2025, covering income earned from April 1 to May 31.
• September 15: Third estimated tax payment for 2025 is due, applicable to income earned from June 1 to August 31.
• October 15: Final day to file your 2024 tax return if you’ve been granted a regular six-month extension.