Comptroller Lierman Encourages Marylanders To Check Eligibility For Direct File

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman is encouraging Marylanders to check their eligibility to use the new IRS Direct File platform. Direct File is a free and convenient tool that will allow an estimated 30 million Americans in 25 states, including Maryland, to file their federal and state taxes online at no cost when the Internal Revenue Service begins to process tax returns January 27.

An estimated 870,000 Marylanders are eligible to participate in Direct File. Direct File is optimized for mobile devices and available in both English and Spanish. Direct File users will be able to import information directly from their IRS account into their federal return. Users can receive support from the IRS during the filing process via live chat. When the federal filing is complete, information from that return will transfer that information to the Maryland filing tool, which is built and maintained by our partners at Code for America.  

“The IRS estimates that the average American spends $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes. Direct File is a free and secure filing option that empowers low and middle-income Americans by eliminating the need to pay for tax preparation and reducing the time it takes to complete their returns. Direct File will make the filing process more convenient and less intimidating,” Comptroller Lierman said. “I am proud to partner with the IRS to further modernize Maryland’s tax filing system, and my agency is committed to doing all we can to make government work better for our fellow Marylanders.” 

The IRS recently launched its Eligibility Checker, which allows tax filers to review a list of criteria to determine whether they would qualify to use Direct File when the 2025 tax filing season begins. A chat bot will be able to assist users in determining their eligibility to use Direct File.

To promote the use of Direct File and connect more Marylanders with resources for the 2025 filing season, the Comptroller’s Public Engagement team will host five webinars in January and February. The webinars will cover a range of tax filing resources, and discuss tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which help Marylanders reduce what they owe the state and even increase their refund.