Press Release
IRS Direct File Will Be Transformative For Taxpayers in 2025 and The Years To Come, Says Coalition for Free and Fair Filing
05. 30. 2024
The 125+ member coalition also urged the IRS to expand the tool’s scope to more taxpayers and streamline the process even more
WASHINGTON–On the heels of a historic tax filing season, taxpayers are celebrating today’s IRS announcement that Direct File will be extended permanently. The Coalition for Free and Fair Filing, a coalition of national, state, and grassroots organizations advocating for a free, IRS-run online tax filing tool, released the following statement:
“The Direct File pilot has already shown us how this program can transform tax filing for taxpayers across the country, and we are incredibly excited that the IRS announced today that Direct File will be a permanent government offering, and that all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be invited to participate. This year’s Direct File pilot proved that the government is more than capable of providing a free, public e-filing service that saves taxpayers time, money, and headache. Users from this year’s pilot reported near-unanimous satisfaction and indicated that it helped build their trust in government. Between streamlining the tax filing experience and proving that the government can deliver on promises, it is clear that not only did the IRS make the right decision to continue the program, but it should be scaled to reach a wider swath of Americans.
“As the IRS and Direct File team make more decisions about the shape of the tool in the coming months, we will continue to urge the IRS to expand the tool to more low- and middle-income taxpayers and streamline the filing process by pre-populating tax filing forms with data the IRS already has on filers, a feature that many Americans are asking for. We look forward to supporting this program as it grows to democratize access to the tax system for every American who needs it.”
The Direct File pilot had an incredibly successful first year, thanks to the fact that the IRS followed industry best practices during the pilot. Data released by the IRS and Department of Treasury found a 90 percent satisfaction rate and net promoter score of +74 among users. Earlier this month, the Coalition for Free and Fair Filing sent a letter signed by over 256 groups, representing organizations from all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, urging IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to make Direct File permanent and available nationwide in the years ahead.
If you are interested in speaking with a Direct File expert or user, please contact Manisha Sunil at [email protected] or Christiaan Perez at [email protected].
###
The Coalition for Free and Fair Filing supports the Internal Revenue Service’s efforts to create a free online direct tax filing tool. The group’s mission is to ensure all U.S. taxpayers can easily file tax returns and get the tax credits they deserve by safeguarding and expanding the IRS Direct File program. The coalition is composed of organizations committed to racial and economic justice, consumer protection, the advancement of civic technology and the promotion of equity in tax administration.