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Code for America Launches SimpleFile to Expand Access to Tax Benefits
At Code for America, we’re always looking for new ways to make tax filing free, easy, and more accessible to more people. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of SimpleFile, the newest product in our suite of tax filing tools.
Launched in July 2026, SimpleFile allows users to complete a simplified state-only tax return and claim thousands of dollars in refundable state tax credits, which previously were only available through filing a full tax return, in 15 minutes or less.
“No one should miss out on money they’re owed because filing taxes is too complicated. For too many eligible low-income filers, the process itself is the barrier—not eligibility. SimpleFile removes that barrier, so people can claim the state tax credits they’re owed without needing to be a tax expert to do it.”
SimpleFile is initially available to eligible residents of Colorado and New Jersey, and was built in partnership with the Colorado Department of Revenue and with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation. Development of the New Jersey implementation was made possible with support from The Tepper Foundation.
“Filing taxes shouldn’t be hard. Colorado is making it easier for eligible families to claim tax credits they qualify for, putting more money back into people’s pockets to help pay for groceries, child care, housing, and other everyday expenses. By partnering with Code for America, we are reducing barriers, simplifying the process, and helping more Coloradans access important refunds.”
“Helping more New Jersey families benefit from our state’s Child Tax Credit is one of the most direct ways we can make life more affordable, because every dollar matters for parents who need childcare, groceries, clothes, and other essentials. SimpleFile makes sure families can access the credit they qualify for today and turns a budget win into real money in the hands of our families.”
How SimpleFile works
SimpleFile is specifically designed for households with low incomes and no tax obligation. The free, mobile-friendly tool, which is available in both English and Spanish, just requires users to fill out a few simple questions to verify their eligibility and submit basic information about themselves and their dependents. Eligible users can choose to receive their refund electronically or via a check in the mail.
The standard process for income tax filing can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly for people who work multiple jobs and may not receive just one W-2 from an employer. Simplified filing, on the other hand, does not require filers to report their income or provide tax documents. This makes tax filing faster and easier—and increases the likelihood that low-income families who are eligible for tax benefits actually receive them.
SimpleFile is open through October 15.
Building on past success
SimpleFile is a continuation of our team’s effort to simplify the tax filing process, expand access to free, high-quality tax filing services, and ultimately, help more people get the tax benefits they’re owed.
In 2021, Code for America launched GetCTC, our first simplified filing tool created in collaboration with the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. During the pandemic, nearly 200,000 households used the tool to claim the Child Tax Credit and COVID-19 stimulus checks. In total, this amounted to an estimated $685 million in tax credits families were able to access via GetCTC. At a moment when so many people across the country were having a hard time making ends meet, simplified tax filing was a way to put much-needed money in their pockets.
Financial challenges still persist for too many families, even post-pandemic. Many states have stepped up to expand refundable tax credits to support their residents. SimpleFile is making it easy for states to connect families with those intended resources to help them thrive.
Changing lives through simplified filing
Simplified filing isn’t just a good idea in theory—we’ve seen it work in practice. When we rolled out GetCTC, 80 percent of our survey participants said the tool was “easy” or “very easy,” and we found that it made it a lot more likely that they’d file a return. In fact, among low-income families who didn’t usually file a return, the simplified filing completion rate was eight times higher than the traditional filing rate. Ultimately, that meant more people had access to tax benefits that could change their lives.
Is your Colorado or New Jersey community-based organization ready to help spread the word about SimpleFile in your community? Start with our Colorado and New Jersey outreach toolkits!