IRS Direct File ended after tax year 2024 with the cuts in government activity by the present regime. The previous situation is described below:
IRS Direct File enables certain tax payers to do their income taxes themselves online. Details are at their website https://directfile.irs.gov/
You will need to get an ID.me account, which they will direct you to.
It works for many states (not all) including Washington. Here is a short list of the things they can and can't do, as of the 2025 filing season (i.e. for 2024 taxes). Their website goes through all this nicely and in some more detail. In future years they may do more things, so check.
- No "Married Filing Separately" in Washington or other community property states.
- Income. Because Direct File can't do Forms 8959 or 8960, there is an income limit of $200,000 (168,600 if more than one employer) for Single filers, and for each spouse when Married Filing Jointly. Combined income limit for Married Filing Jointly is $250,000. Otherwise:
- Good only for W-2, 1099-G. SSA-1099. 1099-SA. 1099-INT, and many kinds of 1099-R income.
- NOT good for cash, 1099-NEC, 1099-DIV, or 1099-B income.
- For 1099-R, good if:
- in box 7, only codes 2, 7, G, H, or combinations, also 4G, 4H, but not plain 4.
- No check in "taxable amount not determined box."
- No check in "IRA" box.
- Nothing in boxes 3, 6, 8, 9a, 10, 12, or 13.
- i.e. no IRA distributions, but roll-overs are OK
- Deductions: Only standard deduction. Also can do Student Loan Interest and Educator Expense adjustments.
- NOT good for IRA contributions.
- Credits: supports credits except Education, Energy Efficient Updates, credits for non-custodial parent.
- Marketplace health insurance: It supports filing with form 1095-A in most cases, but there are exceptions explained on their website.