Title: "I Am a Detective: Is a 7.8 Rating on Douban Justified? Revisiting the Gritty Years of Grassroots Criminal Investigation"By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com The IRS Direct File program, which lets taxpayers file their federal income tax return directly with the IRS for free, is doubling its reach to 24 states for the 2025 tax season, up from 12 states in 2024, the program’s pilot year. The Direct File program will also accept more types of tax situations for the 2025 tax season. While taxpayers who used the system in 2024 could claim a handful of tax credits, including the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit , that list is expanding in 2025 to include the child and dependent care credit , among others. An estimated 30 million taxpayers will qualify for the Direct File program in 2025, the IRS says. More than 140,000 taxpayers filed their federal tax returns through the Direct File program in 2024. About 90% of users said their experience was excellent or above average, according to a survey of about 11,000 Direct File users in 2024, conducted by the General Services Administration. “We’re excited about the improvements to Direct File and the millions more taxpayers who will be eligible to use the service this year,” said Danny Werfel, the IRS commissioner, in a statement. “Our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily.” The IRS says that taxpayers can use Direct File when the 2025 tax season kicks off in January, and it will be available until Oct. 15, 2025. But the program’s future is somewhat unclear: In December, 29 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, calling for him to end the Direct File program on his first day in office. Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives also introduced legislation in July to end the Direct File program. For now, here’s what you need to know about how the IRS Direct File program works, and how to qualify for it. The Direct File program is a new initiative, about to enter its second year, that allows taxpayers to file their federal tax returns electronically with the IRS. The no-cost tool guides taxpayers through every part of their federal income tax return. Taxpayers can file using a smartphone, computer or tablet. One of the program’s advantages is that, if you have questions as you’re working on your return, you can get live support directly from the IRS via chat or phone. IRS representatives can answer basic tax questions and help with technical issues in English and Spanish. The Direct File program has income limits, as well as limits on the types of income, deductions and credits you can enter on your tax return. For the 2025 tax season: To be eligible for Direct File, your income can come from the following sources: But if you’re self-employed, or have business or rental income, you can’t use Direct File . Same goes for IRA contributions or distributions: If you have either, you can’t use Direct File. You can use the IRS Direct File program only if you claim the standard deduction — the program isn’t available to people who itemize. But you can claim certain above-the-line deductions: student loan interest , educator expenses and health savings account contributions . You can’t use Direct File if you want to deduct your IRA contributions. The Direct File program allows for the following tax credits in 2025: However, if you want to claim education credits , credits for energy efficient home upgrades or the adoption expense credit , you can’t use the Direct File program. More taxpayers will have access to the IRS Direct File program in 2025. In 2024, the IRS kicked off the program with only 12 states; that number has expanded to 24 states for the 2025 tax season. For some of the states that participate in the IRS Direct File program, your federal return information will be transferred automatically to the state tax website, but in some cases you’ll have to re-enter your information. Visit this IRS Direct File page to get the details for your state. Here is a list of the participating states: If you don’t qualify for the IRS Direct File program, you may have other options to file your tax return for free. In addition to Direct File, the IRS offers the Free File program, in which it partners with online tax software providers to provide free federal income tax return filing. Some providers also allow you to file a state income tax return. For the 2024 tax season, your adjusted gross income had to be less than $79,000 to qualify for the Free File program. That dollar threshold is likely to rise slightly for the 2025 tax season. The IRS also offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides certified volunteers to prepare basic tax returns if you earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled, or speak limited English. You can find a site near you by visiting this IRS page . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In a recent turn of events, 33-year-old female director Zhang Xin has made headlines for her bold stance in support of Wu Liufang, a young actress who has been facing relentless online harassment. Zhang Xin, known for her critically acclaimed works in the film industry, took to social media to denounce the toxic behavior of some fans and made a significant decision to disband her fan group. Her actions have sparked a wave of discussions and controversies, leading to speculation about her potential withdrawal from social media platforms and a subsequent account unblocking that has once again brought her into the limelight.
One of the key drivers behind Sony's stock price rally is the stellar performance of its gaming business. Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company's gaming division, has been a major revenue generator for Sony in recent years. With popular gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and the newly launched PlayStation 5, Sony has solidified its position as a leader in the gaming industry.One of the key themes of the conference was the significance of intellectual property rights protection in the digital economy. With the continuous growth of e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces, the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights has become increasingly crucial. Counterfeiting, copyright infringement, and trademark violations pose significant challenges to businesses and consumers alike, highlighting the urgent need for effective protection mechanisms.
In a significant political move, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan has abolished nine districts and three divisions created by the previous Congress government under Ashok Gehlot during the election year. The decision was made during a state cabinet meeting, immediately followed by a sitting of the entire council of ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Sharma. Advertisement Last year, the Gehlot government, acting on the recommendations of the district reorganization committee, had established 17 new districts and three divisions. Advertisement Among these, the BJP government has now abolished three divisions—Sikar, Pali, and Banswara—and nine districts, namely Dudu, Kekri, Shahpura, Neem-Ka-Thana, Gangapur City, Jaipur-Rural, Jodhpur-Rural, Anoopgarh, and Sanchore. However, eight newly formed districts—Deeg, Balotra, Khairthal-Tizara, Beawar, Kotputli-Behror, Deedwana-Kuchaman, Phalodi, and Salumbar—have been retained. Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joga Ram Patel stated in a press briefing that the decision was based on recommendations from the Review Committee. Patel criticized the Congress government, claiming it had created the new districts and divisions purely for political gain ahead of the assembly elections. “The move was impractical, lacking proper financial planning, population assessments, and adherence to established norms,” Patel added. The Congress party has strongly condemned the BJP’s decision, labeling it as undemocratic, wrong, and anti-people. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot defended his government’s decision, asserting that it was a well-considered measure aimed at improving governance. State Congress Chief Govind Singh Dotasara and Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Julie, in a joint media briefing, announced plans for widespread protests and the possibility of challenging the BJP government’s decision in court. Advertisement