Many Illinois residents will be able to use the IRS Direct File service to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns for free.

Almost 2 million eligible Illinois taxpayers will be able to use Direct File starting Jan. 27. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said this service will, “put money typically spent on tax preparation services back into the pockets of hardworking families across Illinois.”

After users file their federal taxes, Direct File will connect user to MyTax Illinois , Illinois’ free state income tax filing system where they can file their Illinois state returns. The program is accessible on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers and users will have access to help through a chatbot in both English and Spanish.

“We understand that a significant amount of time and money is spent every year to ensure personal income tax returns are filed accurately and on time,” said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris. “This integration will help relieve stress and financial burden for taxpayers.”

The IRS created Direct File as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act , which was signed in 2022 by President Joe Biden. It began as a test program in 2024 and will become permanent in 25 states this year. The IRS estimates that over 30 million taxpayers will be eligible for Direct File in 2025.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.