A new IRS program is helping its first users file their income taxes electronically. And it's free
The government's new free electronic filing system for income tax returns is getting its first users this filing season
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texan Dixie Warden is quick to say she's “not a numbers girl.” But as the first user of the government's new free electronic tax return filing system, Warden reports she completed her taxes this year in about an hour using the program.
“I don’t want to call myself a dummy, but this is taxes for dummies right here,” Warden said. The program asked her simple questions about her tax status, provided definitions for tax lingo such as adjusted gross income and a chatbot was on hand to answer her questions.
The project, known as Direct File and launched by the IRS on a limited basis in 12 states this tax season, is in its pilot phase. Starting this week, it is available for eligible users to start their returns at any time after earlier being available only during certain hours.
If it is successful and scaled up for the general public's use, the program could drastically change how Americans file their taxes and how much money they spend completing them. That is, if the agency can see the program through its development in spite of threats to its funding.
