IRS to Pilot Free Direct Online Tax Filing System in 2022

The IRS will launch a pilot program for a free, government-run, online tax filing system called "direct file" during the 2024 filing season to test taxpayer interest and help the federal government decide whether to move forward with potentially implementing it in the future. The IRS's existing free e-file option will remain in place, and individuals of all income levels can still submit their returns for free via mail. The new program could potentially save taxpayers billions of dollars annually, but critics have expressed skepticism about the IRS taking on the dual roles of both tax collector and tax preparer.