By Akshaj Gaur and Natalie Weger
Some Maryland taxpayers can now file taxes electronically and free of charge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced in a news release on Wednesday.
More than 700,000 Marylanders will be eligible to use the Internal Revenue Service’s Direct File online tool for the 2025 filing session.
“Today, we take a big step forward to make tax season easier, simpler, and more affordable for all Marylanders,” Moore said in the release.
Maryland joins 12 other states in adopting the direct file pilot program, which was part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the news release said. The act gave the IRS $15 million to design the direct filing system, according to the U.S. treasury inspector general for tax administration’s office.
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According to the release, the filing system allowed more than 140,000 Americans to claim more than $90 million combined in refunds and save an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees in the 2024 filing system .
“Through the Inflation Reduction Act, we provided new resources for the IRS so it can better serve everyday Americans,” U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said in the news release.
Maryland will partner with civic technology company Code for America to help taxpayers with the new system.
Taxpayers can check their eligibility for the direct filing system on the IRS website.
