Press Release: Gov. Evers, U.S. Sen. Baldwin Announce Direct File Program Available to Wisconsin Taxpayers in 2025

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 08/21/2024 12:19 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers, U.S. Sen. Baldwin Announce Direct File Program Available to Wisconsin Taxpayers in 2025
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), today announced that Wisconsin will join the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Direct File program for filing season 2025, enabling eligible Wisconsin taxpayers with an option to file their taxes online directly with the IRS for free. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, the average taxpayer spends approximately 13 hours and $270 to prepare their taxes each year. Direct File simplifies that process saving taxpayers time and eliminating the burden of cost.

“Thanks to the efforts of our federal partners like Sen. Baldwin and the Biden-Harris Administration, next year, Wisconsin taxpayers will be able to file their taxes securely, easily, and for free directly with the IRS with no surprise fees through the new Direct File Program,” said Gov. Evers. “This is going to save hardworking folks time and money, and we look forward to seeing how the Direct File and new WisTax programs will work together to better serve Wisconsinites when tax season comes around in 2025.”

The Direct File program was made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration through the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark piece of legislation that was passed by Democrats in 2022, including Sen. Baldwin, who championed the Inflation Reduction Act and has been a staunch advocate for launching Wisconsin's Direct File Program to give taxpayers a no cost filing option for their federal taxes.

“Filing your taxes should be easy and free, but right now the system is rigged to line the pockets of giant third-party tax-prep companies, and Wisconsinites are left wasting hours and hundreds of dollars each year,” said Sen. Baldwin. “I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act to put money back into the pockets of hardworking families, not pad the profits of these big third-party companies that charge exorbitant junk fees. I’m thrilled to be working with Gov. Evers so Wisconsinites can save time and money by filing their taxes directly with the IRS.”

Launched as a pilot program in a dozen states in 2024, Direct File users claimed more than $90 million in refunds and saved an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. The platform’s success and positive feedback encouraged the IRS to move forward with a rollout nationwide for the 2025 tax filing season.

Starting in 2025, Wisconsinites will be able to file both their state and federal taxes online. After completing their federal returns in Direct File, Wisconsin taxpayers will be taken to WisTax to complete their state taxes quickly and easily for free.

“We are excited about both WisTax and the Direct File program because they provide an improved customer experience for Wisconsin taxpayers that is free, accurate, and user friendly,” said DOR Secretary David Casey.

WisTax offers a modern web-based experience that is intuitive and easy to use, as well as mobile-friendly. This free platform was created to simplify the tax filing process and eliminate the burden of cost. Should taxpayers encounter problems while filing, a knowledgeable DOR customer service representative will be available to answer questions and help troubleshoot the issue. By filing directly with WisTax, taxpayers have an opportunity to share feedback that will help the agency strengthen its program in future years.

Eligible taxpayers can file using a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. For eligibility requirements and additional information, visit directfile.irs.gov and revenue.wi.gov. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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