HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen today announced that, beginning in the 2025 filing season, Connecticut will join IRS Direct File - a newly launched option to file federal tax returns online that is provided to users at no cost, empowering residents to file with ease and without having to pay the fees associated with for-profit tax software companies.

This free online tax filing option began as a pilot program in 12 states during the 2024 filing season, and during this time it enabled 140,000 taxpayers to claim more than $90 million in refunds, saving an estimated $5.6 million in filing costs. On the heels of this successful pilot run, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are making Direct File permanently available to all 50 states and the District of Columbia starting with the 2025 filing season.

The creation of Direct File was made possible by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which provided enhanced resources for the IRS to improve customer service in-person, over the phone, and online to ensure taxpayers claim the benefits and deductions for which they are eligible.

“The Direct File tool will make it easier and more convenient for the average person to file their taxes, and it will help them save both time and money by avoiding the need to purchase for-profit tax filing software,” Governor Lamont said. “We’re grateful to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service for making this resource a reality, and we appreciate that Connecticut residents will benefit from this service in the upcoming filing season.”

“Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, more than 290,000 Connecticut taxpayers will be able to file their taxes online for free, directly with the IRS this coming Filing Season,” Secretary Yellen said. “Direct File will save Connecticut residents time and money and help ensure they receive the tax benefits they are owed. After a successful pilot this Filing Season, we are pleased to expand the program as a permanent offering and welcome Connecticut as the latest new state to offer this free option to taxpayers.”

“Direct File will make a big difference for our taxpayers,” Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton said. “Connecticut residents have benefitted from filing their state income taxes online for free via our myconneCT system, and this is another way we’re making their lives a little easier on Tax Day. We’re thrilled to be able to offer this service to the state.”

Users who filed their taxes with Direct File during its pilot run reported a high degree of satisfaction and quick answers to their filing questions. In a GSA Touchpoints survey of more than 11,000 Direct File users, 90% of respondents ranked their experience with Direct File as “Excellent” or “Above Average.” A majority of survey respondents who filed taxes in the prior year reported having to pay to prepare their taxes last year.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “For Connecticut taxpayers, filing income tax returns can be complicated and intimidating, leading them to turn to tax preparation services that too often charge hidden fees. Direct File will provide a safe, easy way to file your federal tax return. I am proud to have supported funding to make Direct File a reality for many taxpayers and will continue to support expanding the availability of Direct File to all Americans.”

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said, “It’s not complicated – no one should have to pay a for-profit company to do something the government requires everyone to do: file their taxes. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Direct File will allow thousands of people in Connecticut to file their taxes and claim their benefits for free without the headache of relying on expensive filing software. This is a game-changer for taxpayers across our state, and the Biden-Harris administration got it done.”

U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) said, “As a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, I have been working with my colleagues to ensure the IRS is fulfilling its mission by providing better customer service and cracking down on wealthy tax cheats who are not paying their fair share. Thanks to the funding we secured in the Inflation Reduction Act, we are seeing results. I am proud that Connecticut residents will now see another direct benefit, as we expand the Direct File program to Connecticut for next year’s tax season so they have an additional opportunity to file their taxes at no cost.”

U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) said, “There is simply no good reason that American taxpayers are all but forced to use costly private services to be sure they are paying their taxes correctly. The government, at minimum, should be able to tell people what they owe. I am pleased that Connecticut will join the IRS Direct File program, providing taxpayers with a no-cost option to file each tax season instead of costly private services that add to their cost burden each year. I applaud Governor Lamont for working to ensure all Connecticut residents can file their taxes for free.”

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) said, “The federal government should do everything possible to make tax season less of a headache. I am thrilled Connecticut taxpayers will have free access to the online IRS Direct File tool for the 2025 Filing Year. This program will offer a reliable, user-friendly alternative to file their taxes, resulting in savings – in time, frustration, and money – for families across our state.”

U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) said, “Adopting Direct File will help taxpayers securely file their taxes and access credits without excessive third-party fees. Once again, Governor Lamont is using federal funds to get the greatest benefit for Connecticut residents and put their hard earned money back in their pockets.”