File income tax returns starting Jan. 27

The Idaho State Tax Commission and the Internal Revenue Service will start processing 2024 individual income tax returns Monday. Idaho expects to process over 1 million income tax returns in 2025.

New this year, Idaho is participating in the IRS Direct File program. An estimated 210,000 Idaho taxpayers will be eligible to use the free program, a press release said.

With Direct File, taxpayers begin by filing their federal return on the IRS tool at directfile.irs.gov. The tool walks them through interview-style questions to prepare the return.

"Once the federal return is completed, the taxpayer will click a button taking them to Idaho’s FileYourStateTaxes tool to prepare their Idaho state return," the release said.

Direct File is another option taxpayers have to e-file their federal and state taxes based on their eligibility and tax situations. To use Direct File, taxpayers must have lived in Idaho for all of 2024, and they must use the standard deduction.

Taxpayers can also see if they qualify for the Free File program (tax.idaho.gov/freefile) that features offers from tax software developers. Most people qualify if their adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less.

You also can get help by calling toll free at 800-972-7660.

The deadline to file 2024 income taxes is April 15.