IRS discusses new Direct File program
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – An electronic system for filing tax returns directly to the IRS is now available for taxpayers. It’s only for a select 12 states, and Texas is one of them.
Clay Stanford with the IRS joined News 3 at Six Tuesday to discuss the new program.
“It’s the first time that people have been able to file directly with the Internal Revenue Service instead of going through a third-party tax preparer, and it is free for one thing,” Stanford said. “It’s directly to the IRS. It is secure and you know, we’ve checked out all of that and we feel like it has some ease of use for folks. A lot of folks have said that they got through it pretty quickly so far.”
Direct File allows taxpayers to file in either English or Spanish, and you can file until April 15.
“Now these types of returns that we’re talking about though are relatively simple returns. If you’re a W-2 wage earner, you should definitely look into it. If you’re someone who does not itemize but rather you take the standard deduction, then it could be for you as well,” Stanford said. “But then on the flip side of that, if your returns are more complex, if you do itemize, it won’t be for you in that case.”
You can watch our full interview with Stanford in the player above.
You can use the Direct File program by clicking here.
