Well, you have less than six weeks to get your
taxes done.
And while some of you have already filed with the
IRS and the state,
others have been waiting on a new direct file pilot
program that will allow millions of people in 12 states,
including here in New York,
to do your taxes online for free without the typical
income restrictions.
You can actually start your federal return now.
And we just found out today that state returns will
begin next week.
March 12th to be exact,
you'll just go to direct file IRS,
Gov Once you're on that site you can click where
it says check my availability.
Again, this is only available in certain states to do
both your federal and your state taxes through this here
are the key requirements for most of you watching You
must have lived in New York State for all of
last year and also no out of state income.
You must also use the same filing status for your
federal and your state returns.
And you can also only claim certain state tax credits
like the Empire State Child Credit or the Earned Income
Credit.
If you meet those requirements here you just click next.
Then you're going to have to prove your identification.
This takes a few minutes.
I actually did it myself.
You're going to need your Social Security number for you
and also your spouse and or your kids if applicable.
You'll also need your ID like a driver's license,
passport, etcetera. Then it gets a little more complicated.
So this only works with certain types of incomes like
AW2 from an employer or employers.
Unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits.
And also limited amount of interest income.
You cannot have any of these other types of income.
Also, you can't use this if you made more than
$200,000 or 125 grand if you're married.
Filing separately. This next part is really key.
You have to take the standard deduction.
You cannot itemize and use this system.
There are some healthcare restrictions as well.
You can't use direct file if you're covered through the
Obamacare marketplaces or if you withdrew cash from an HSA.
Again, this only accepts the really common credits that you
see on your screen.
And then finally you have to create an ID dot
me account.
That's how you actually verify who you are.
So you can do all of that right now,
again at directfile.irs.gov do your federal return,
and then starting next week,
you'll be able to basically export all of that data
directly to a tool that's called File your State taxes.
This is thanks to a nonprofit called Code for America.
That organization says your state return should only take a
few minutes.
And again, all of this completely free.