Direct File has many limits, but nearly 19M people in 12 states may be eligible.

“Direct File provides a free, secure option for taxpayers with simple tax situations in 12 states to file their taxes directly with the IRS,” the Treasury Department said. “Direct File is easy to use, with no hidden junk fees, and works as well on a smartphone as it does on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Direct File shows taxpayers the math so they can be sure that their return is accurate, and they are getting the refund they are entitled to.”

You can check whether you qualify to use the system at directfile.irs.gov. Based on the eligibility restrictions in the IRS program, the Treasury Department said it “estimates that one-third of all federal income tax returns filed could be prepared using Direct File.”

But there are many limits that would prevent taxpayers from using the system.

What you can and can’t file

  • LucidNightmare@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    I was so excited to do this to show interest, and then they brought up the ID. Me.

    Never heard of it, so I go and look.

    You expect me to fucking sign up for some weird 3rd party bullshit, when I would be happy to do that with an actual fucking government supplied way of letting you know I’m the actual person filing my taxes?

    No, man. Fuck that, and fuck your stupid ass way of handling it.

    I had such high hopes for it, but with the embarrassment of ID.me I just went back to FreetaxUSA.

    • FlumPHP@programming.devEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      They’re working to improve login.gov to support the level of user verification needed for this service, but it isn’t there yet. Hopefully next year when tax time rolls around again.

      • LucidNightmare@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        Thank you for letting me know.

        I probably came off strong, but I am majorly disappointed. This was one step closer to how other countries do their taxes, which is mostly just signing and sending it back. As it should be.

        Hopefully we can get something before they shut it down, because I can see a LOT of people seeing that sketchy ID.me and noping out just like I did.

  • Verdant Banana@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    the US thinks if it fixes a problem that all fifty states have but only fix it in a handful of states that it has solved the problem one hundred percent

    meanwhile the citizens go “We have to start somewhere this is a great thing!” and the leaders never get criticized sometimes the opposite people vote them back in

    then that is all you hear until the issues reach critical because everything was quarter assed at best

    this is how abortion, cannabis, all kinds of insurances, education, food assistance, etcetera already are played in the US

    and at that point the citizens and the states are to blame for why things suck so hard

    “well they should have voted better over there it is their faults that state sucks!”

    which drives us further from solutions