New Mexico agrees to join Direct File program

It may be a little easier to file taxes next year.

New Mexico announced Thursday it agreed to join the Internal Revenue Service's Direct File program, which allows taxpayers to file their taxes free and directly with the IRS online. The program is being expanded after a pilot program in 12 states and 140,000 taxpayers, who claimed more than $90 million in refunds and saved $5.6 million in filing costs, according to the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.

"We're excited to start working with the IRS to make sure taxpayers have this great new tool available to them when they're ready to file next year," Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke said in a statement.

New Mexico is the fourth state to join the Direct File program. The state expects 200,000 New Mexicans will be eligible to use the program next tax season.

Taxpayers in the state can file Personal Income Tax returns for free online using a state Taxpayer Access Point. The Direct File will allow taxpayers to import information from their federal forms and not have to enter the information manually, according to a news release announcing the program.

"This collaboration with the IRS will simplify the tax filing process for New Mexicans," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

"The Direct File program empowers taxpayers with a free, reliable, and efficient way to manage their federal and state tax filings."