Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue announced that Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File service, which begins Jan. 27. 

Nearly two million eligible Illinois taxpayers will now be able to use Direct File to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns for free.

After filing federal taxes, the program also connects taxpayers to Illinois’ free state income tax filing system, MyTax Illinois, where they can file and complete their Illinois state returns. 

Direct File enables working families to prepare and file taxes electronically on their own for free using one streamlined platform and avoid paying costly fees to tax preparation companies.

Direct File was initially launched as a test program in 2024. Following a successful pilot, the service has become a permanent option with participation from 25 states. 

The IRS estimates that over 30 million taxpayers will be eligible for Direct File during the 2025 tax filing season.

Direct File is an online service accessible on mobile phones, laptops, tablets, or desktop computers. Users will have access to a chatbot for guidance in both English and Spanish. It simplifies tax filing by providing a checklist and a guide to help navigate the process. 

To check eligibility and to use the service, visit irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free.