Get With The Program
New Tax Program Saves Money, Time And Stress
Tax season is upon us. It’s a detail-oriented task that few enjoy but all must navigate. But there are a few options that can make the process easier.
Hoyer discussig how to get ready for a tough tax filing season.
In fact, the Internal Revenue Service and its partners have signed off on a new approach that’s so successful amongst taxpayers that tested it, Maryland’s leading lawmakers and the state comptroller have come together to add volume to the winning aspects of the new program.
Direct File is a new program that aids taxpayers in developing their taxes in one-stop shop fashion, saving time, money and stress in the process. It’s free, adaptable, user friendly and cell phone accessible.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Dist. 5), who led legislation to create the program, joined Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and state community partners to introduce Direct File to residents.
“I was so proud to be one of the sponsors of the original bill that this was located,” Hoyer said. “It started out with 12 states and it was so popular – almost everybody said that ‘this is so much easier for me to do’. People felt that they had a sense they did it right. Once implemented nationwide this tool can save taxpayers $11 billion dollars.”
“We have seen high satisfaction rates of those who gave filed across the country,” said Lierman. “98% of those who use Direct File report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with it. Maryland is proud to be one of the 25 states participating in Direct File program.”
ABOVE: Rep. Steny Hoyer outlines the origin and importance of Direct File. BELOW: Robin McKinney, CASH Campaign of Maryland, discusses the value and impact of the new system for Marylanders.
Direct File is a secure tax filing platform allowing 30 million Americans, including an estimated 870,000 Marylanders, to file their federal and state taxes online for free. Direct File pre-fills taxpayer information for their federal return and also allows information from the federal return to be imported into the state return.
The Direct File site can be accessed on Smartphones, and it functions in English ad Spanish. Lierman also noted that with the difficulty taxpayers may encounter in reaching state and federal tax agents or in coming to the office, Direct File represents an important option.
The IRS estimates that Americans spend an average of $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes.
Comptroller Lierman and others toured the state-run Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at the Prince George’s Department of Social Services in Temple Hills.
“Direct File is simply a better way to file your tax returns,” the comptroller says.
