As tax season reaches its peak, taxpayers in Texas and 11 other states have a new, hassle-free option to file their taxes: Direct File.
The Direct File service, which is interview-based and mobile-friendly, functions seamlessly across various devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers.
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IRS spokesperson Clay Sanford said that the IRS encourages eligible individuals who have not yet filed a return in Texas to consider Direct File as an additional free option. Texas, being one of the 12 states included in the program, offers taxpayers this opportunity. One of the initial steps recommended for taxpayers is to verify their eligibility, for which they can utilize a tool available on the IRS website.
“Direct File is an additional option for Texans to use to file their federal tax return,” said Sanford. “One of the first steps interested taxpayers should do is to check their eligibility, and there is an easy tool on IRS.gov to do that.”
SEE ALSO: The IRS is launching a direct file pilot program for the 2024 tax season — here is how it will work
Participation in the Direct File pilot program is restricted to individuals reporting specific types of income and claiming only select credits and adjustments. It includes:
Income reporting
- W-2 wage income
- Social Security and railroad retirement income
- Unemployment compensation
- Interest of $1,500 or less
Credits
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Credit for Other Dependents
Deductions
- Standard deduction
- Student loan interest
- Educator expenses
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Taxpayers enrolled in the pilot program can receive assistance from IRS personnel operating the Direct File customer support service, accessible via live chat. IRS representatives are available to offer technical aid and address fundamental questions regarding tax regulations related to Direct File.
Direct File does not serve as a replacement for current filing options, including tax professionals, IRS Free File, free return preparation sites, commercial software, or authorized e-file providers. Taxpayers will retain their choices, whether they prefer to utilize a tax professional, software product, Free File, free tax preparation services like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), or opt for a paper tax return or Direct File.