IRS Direct File: Pilot program now open to taxpayers

The IRS Direct File pilot program is now open to receive tax filings from eligible taxpayers.

The program allows some taxpayers to file online for free directly to the IRS, using the agency’s own in-house software and customer service support.

Only taxpayers who live in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to participate.

The program started as invite-only and had set windows for submitting a return. Now, Direct File is available 24 hours a day. Upon expanding the program, the IRS noted that it may briefly close if the daily allotment for returns is exceeded. Should that happen, taxpayers should check back the following day as more spaces will be added.

If you’ve started a return through Direct File, you can continue working on it, even if the IRS temporarily closes the Direct File website.

To learn more the Direct File program, read our previous coverage on how to file taxes online for free.