(NEXSTAR) — Tax season is here again. That means it’s time to collect your W-2, Form 1098, and Form 1099 and start filing. There are many tax services and professionals who can help you file, and for a fee, you may be able to take advantage of the Internal Revenue Service’s new tax filing program.
Launched last year, Direct File aims to provide step-by-step assistance and live support, all for free.
Initially, the IRS made Direct File available only to public employees in 12 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, and Wyoming. It was later made available to private sector taxpayers.
Direct File is now available in 13 states: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The program also covers more tax situations this year, the IRS explains. In addition to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Other Dependent Credits, taxpayers who use Direct File may also claim the Child Dependent Credit, Insurance Premium Tax Credit, Elderly and Disabled Persons Credit, and Other Dependent Credits. You can also. Retirement Savings Contribution Credit.
Available deductions include student loan interest and education expense deductions, health savings accounts and the standard deduction.
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If you live in one of the eligible states, you can access Direct File online through your phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer when it becomes available on January 27th. The service also offers live chat functionality in English and Spanish. Assistance from IRS customer service representatives.
Unfortunately, if you want to apply additional credits or deductions, or have a more complex filing status, you may not be able to use the Direct File program. You are still eligible for a free tax filing program through the IRS Free File program. The agency has partnered with eight tax software companies to provide free online federal tax filing services to eligible taxpayers (those with adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less).
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However, Free File and Direct File may not cover state taxes. Some of the tax software companies involved with Free File may offer free state tax preparation and filing. According to the IRS, the Direct File program directs users to “state tools for completing state tax returns.” In some cases, you may be able to transfer the data you entered in Direct File to your state’s tax filing tool.
According to the IRS, most tax refunds are issued within 21 days. You can track your refund at the IRS’ Where’s My Refund? Please submit the tool within 24 hours of electronic submission. If you filed a paper return, you can expect your refund information to be available approximately four weeks after filing.
