During this tax season, the IRS Direct File program has proven to be successful with over 140,000 taxpayers utilizing this free tax filing service. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS, the program was praised by 90% of the 15,000 users surveyed, with most rating their experience as “excellent.” Additionally, the program saved filers an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees for federal returns, as reported by IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.

Pilot Program Details and Limitations

The Direct File pilot program was fully opened for taxpayers in 12 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. However, the program had its limitations, only accepting specific forms of income such as Form W-2 wages, Social Security retirement income, unemployment earnings, and interest of $1,500 or less. This exclusion meant that filers with contract income reported via Form 1099-NEC, gig economy workers, and self-employed individuals were unable to utilize the service.

Potential Expansion and Future Plans

Despite the success of the Direct File pilot program, the future of the initiative remains uncertain. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel mentioned that they have not yet made a decision regarding the continuation of Direct File and will need to analyze data and gather feedback from various stakeholders. The agency plans to release a more detailed report on the pilot program in the coming days and expects to decide on its future later this spring. If Direct File were to be expanded for the next tax season, the program could potentially include additional states and accommodate a wider range of tax situations, providing more taxpayers with a free and efficient way to file their returns.

The positive feedback and cost savings associated with the IRS Direct File pilot program highlight its potential to simplify tax filing for thousands of individuals. While the future of the program is still uncertain, the success of the pilot phase demonstrates the effectiveness of providing taxpayers with a free and user-friendly option for filing their federal returns.

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