Connecticut will join the IRS Direct File program starting in the 2025 filing season, allowing residents to file federal tax returns online for free. Governor Ned Lamont and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen announced that over 290,000 taxpayers in Connecticut will benefit from this service, which aims to simplify the filing process and eliminate the costs associated with for-profit tax software. The Direct File initiative was successfully piloted in 12 states during the 2024 filing season, resulting in $90 million in refunds for participants. Maine has also announced its intention to opt into the Direct File system, which will be available to all states and the District of Columbia from 2025. This program was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided resources for improved IRS customer service. Both Lamont and Yellen emphasized the program's role in saving residents time and money while ensuring they claim eligible tax benefits.