Governor Phil Murphy has announced that New Jersey residents are now eligible to use the IRS Direct File tool for the 2025 tax season. This online platform allows taxpayers to file both federal and state individual tax returns for free, offering an easy, secure, and accessible solution for tax filing. With the tool’s debut in New Jersey, more than one million residents are expected to qualify for its use.
To be eligible for IRS Direct File, residents must have lived in New Jersey for all of 2024, earned their income exclusively in the state, and plan to use the same filing status for both federal and state returns. Those who meet these criteria can verify their eligibility at DirectFile.IRS.gov.
The program, introduced through a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of Treasury, the Office of Innovation, and Code for America, features an interactive tool that simplifies tax filing with plain language instructions. Users will also be automatically enrolled in money-saving credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
The IRS Direct File tool includes live chat support and is accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and personal computers. It will be available in both English and Spanish.
The pilot program for IRS Direct File was launched in 12 states last year, helping 140,000 taxpayers claim more than $90 million in refunds and save an estimated $5.6 million in filing fees. Following its success, the program has expanded to additional states, including New Jersey.