Digital Services

Maryland to offer IRS Direct File for 2025 tax season through Code for America partnership

Through partnership with the nonprofit Code For America, Maryland joins 12 other states participating in the IRS Direct File system.

By Keely Quinlan

September 5, 2024

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at a campaign event for Maryland Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks on Gun Violence Awareness Day at Kentland Community Center on June 7, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday announced that Maryland, in partnership with the civic tech nonprofit Code for America, will join the IRS’s Direct File online tool for the 2025 tax season, which will allow state residents to prepare and file their taxes online for free.

Maryland is among 21 states launching the Direct File system following an invitation the IRS made to states last summer to collaborate on the free tax-filing system.

An initial group of 12 states for last year’s tax filing season included Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

During the 2024 tax season, the new system allowed more than 140,000 Americans to file and claim more than $90 million in refunds, and saved an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees on their federal returns, according to a Maryland news release.

“Today, we take a big step forward to make tax season easier, simpler, and more affordable for all Marylanders,” Moore said in the release. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their support. Maryland doesn’t just talk about partnership, we move in partnership – and this latest win shows what’s possible when the state, federal government, and community partners work together.”

Maryland isn’t the only state to partner with Code for America in the effort to bring a no-cost, online tax filing option to residents. After work last year, New York officials in March announced they would renew partnership with Code for America to bring the IRS Direct File to the state with the FileYourStateTaxes tool, an online portal that is integrated with the IRS Direct File pilot program. North Carolina is also working with the nonprofit.

Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria said the nonprofit is committed to ensuring taxpayers across Maryland have access to free, easy online state tax filing.

“Through our FileYourStateTaxes tool, more people will be able to file a return and gain access to tax benefits that help working families. We look forward to applying the mindful use of technology to the tax filing process in Maryland and providing this revolutionary service to the state’s people,” Renteria said in the release.

Corrected Sept. 6, 2024: Minor corrections were made to clarify which states are partnering with Code for America.