With tax season underway, the Shapiro administration is reminding Pennsylvanians the Department of Revenue offers free online tools and resources that can help people seamlessly file their tax returns.

“If you’re looking to save time and money this tax season, we’re here to help. In fact, we have options available that will make the tax-filing process free and painless for many Pennsylvanians,” Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne said. “We want to do everything we can to make sure people are aware that these tools exist. They can help relieve stress and financial burden for many people.”

Direct File

Roughly 2.1 million Pennsylvanians are eligible this tax season to use Direct File. This online tax filing tool offers taxpayers the option to file their federal and state tax returns at no cost directly with the IRS and Department of Revenue.

Direct File is being offered this year in Pennsylvania for the very first time. Pennsylvania is one of 25 states partnering with the IRS to offer Direct File after it was successfully piloted last year.

The IRS offers an eligibility checker at directfile.irs.gov that will walk you through the steps to see if you’re eligible.

Direct File is currently designed for Pennsylvanians with common tax situations. For example, it supports the following types of income.

• Income from an employer (form W-2)

• Social Security benefits (form SSA-1099)

• Unemployment compensation (form 1099-G)

• Interest income (1099-INT)

• Distributions for qualified medical expenses from health savings accounts (form 1099-SA)

Additionally, Direct File may be a good option if you meet the following.

• Lived in Pennsylvania for all of 2024

• Earned all of your income in Pennsylvania in 2024

• Will not file Pennsylvania Schedule OC — Other Credits

If you are eligible for Direct File, the tool will walk you through interview-style questions to prepare your returns, just as with other tax preparation software platforms.

Visit pa.gov/directfile for further information.

You can also help spread the word on Direct File by visiting the Direct File Toolkit on the Department of Revenue website.

Taxpayer service and assistance

The Department of Revenue offers assistance on state personal income tax questions through the Department’s Online Customer Service Center. The center contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the department through a process that is similar to sending an email.

Taxpayers may also call 1-717-787-8201 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for state personal income tax assistance.

In-person assistance is available at Department of Revenue district offices. Assistance at district offices is available 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Taxpayers are encouraged to call ahead to make an appointment. They are also encouraged to bring their Social Security cards and photo identification with them to facilitate tax filing.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting Where’s My Income Tax Refund or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.

Free tax forms and instructions are available at revenue.pa.gov.

Electronic filing for free

Other free electronic filing options are available to file state and federal returns using software from vendors.

More vendor information is available on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Electronic filing for a fee

Paid tax preparers and commercial tax preparation software providers offer electronic filing, or e-filing, for a fee. Check a list of vendors on the department’s website for further information.

All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2024 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, April 15.