The feds' free TurboTax alternative

Also: A powerful Holocaust exhibit opens in Boston; six 8th graders could face charges for mock slave auction [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  March 15, 2024 ☁️ Rain this morning, then cloudy with a high near 48. Good Morning Boston, TGIF! The rain should [taper off this morning]( though you may want keep an umbrella on you if you’re headed to [Southie's St. Patrick's Day parade Sunday](. Before you go stock up on Guinness and Irish soda bread, here's what to know today: - One month until tax day: After [weeks of limited testing]( the IRS is [expanding its free online tax filing pilot DirectFile]( in 12 states, including Massachusetts. An estimated 850,000 Bay Staters are eligible to use the new tool this spring (ahead of its potential expansion in the coming years). As a bonus, Massachusetts is also one of just four states that have connected its state tax filing system to DirectFile, meaning you can file both your federal and state taxes all in one fell swoop. The pilot program is still limited for now. But if you've been procrastinating doing your taxes and don't want to fork up money for private tax prep software, it might be a good option: - Am I eligible? [This seven-step tool]( can check. If you're a simple filer and lived all of last year in Massachusetts, the answer could be yes. That means your job gave you a W2 form or your income came from unemployment or Social Security, and you earned less than $1,500 in interest. DirectFile also only accepts users who take the standard deductions and claim certain credits (like the child and earned income tax credit). - Who's not eligible? Like taxes, this can get complicated. But a few common disqualifiers include making more than $200,000 (or over $250,000 for married couples), gig jobs, pension or retirement account income, being a landlord, withdrawing money from a health savings account and healthcare.gov marketplace plans. - Why it matters: For two decades, the IRS has worked with tax prep companies like TurboTax to offer free tax filing for those under a certain income limit ($79,000 for 2023). However, that program was [dramatically underutilized]( and even [deceptively advertised](. Ancel Tejada, a program manager at the nonprofit [MASSCAP]( told WBUR's John Bender that DirectFile expands access to free tax filing to higher earners and should make the process a better customer experience. "That's going to be a very big benefit to the taxpayers in Massachusetts," Tejada said. - Oh boy: Rhode Island officials confirmed yesterday the closed westbound side of the Washington Bridge on I-195 — a key gateway between Providence and the South Coast of Massachusetts — will [need to be fully demolished and rebuilt](. The project will likely take at least two years, with an expected reopening date between March and September of 2026. (The newer, eastbound side of the bridge will continue squeezing in both directions of traffic in the meantime.) - Go deeper: [WPRI has full coverage]( of yesterday's announcement, what led to the abrupt closure in December and what's next. - A powerful Holocaust exhibit opens today at the Castle at Park Plaza in Boston. "Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away." includes 700 artifacts, many of which have never been seen outside of Poland, according to producer Luis Ferreiro. Boston is expected to be the only stop on the East Coast during the international exhibit’s 14-city tour. WBUR's Arielle Gray has [a preview of the exhibit here](. - Plan your visit: The exhibit will run through Sept. 2. [Individual adult tickets for timed entry]( are $34.95. - On Beacon Hill: The Massachusetts Senate [unanimously passed]( its ambitious child care bill yesterday, aiming to lower costs for families and shore up the workforce. [Read more here]( about how it would work and [what the increased family subsidies would mean](. - The big question: Does the House take up the Senate's bill (or propose something else)? House Speaker Ron Mariano has called child care a priority this session, but so far the lower chamber hasn't moved on the issue. There are four and a half months until the end of the legislative session to get something done. - Don't go chasing waterfalls: At least not Massachusetts' [highest waterfall](. State officials [announced]( yesterday they have closed Bash Bish Falls State Park — located in the state's southwest corner — until June so workers can renovate the observation area. P.S.— A new innovation is being tested out by military personnel on Cape Cod. Do you know what it is? Then [take our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of this week's stories. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  The Rundown [Mass. investigators pursue charges against six 8th graders who allegedly created an online mock slave auction]( Investigators in Massachusetts are pursuing criminal charges against six juveniles who they say participated in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction. Charges include interference with civil rights, threatening to commit a crime and witness interference. [Read more.]( [Mass. investigators pursue charges against six 8th graders who allegedly created an online mock slave auction]( Investigators in Massachusetts are pursuing criminal charges against six juveniles who they say participated in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction. Charges include interference with civil rights, threatening to commit a crime and witness interference. [Read more.]( [Former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins has law license suspended]( Former Massachusetts U.S. Attorney and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins has had her law license suspended for nonpayment of registration fees. [Read more.]( [Former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins has law license suspended]( Former Massachusetts U.S. Attorney and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins has had her law license suspended for nonpayment of registration fees. [Read more.]( [T eyes consultant costs as it tries to close budget gap]( MBTA budget-writers will attempt to balance the agency's books next year by trimming spending on consultants and delaying lower-priority purchases, taking aim at a $93 million budget gap, officials said Thursday. [Read more.]( [T eyes consultant costs as it tries to close budget gap]( MBTA budget-writers will attempt to balance the agency's books next year by trimming spending on consultants and delaying lower-priority purchases, taking aim at a $93 million budget gap, officials said Thursday. [Read more.]( [Mass. Senate may finally take action on 'revenge porn' bill]( The Senate plans to take up legislation next week criminalizing the distribution of sexually explicit pictures and video without the subject's permission, often referred to as "revenge porn," in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Mass. Senate may finally take action on 'revenge porn' bill]( The Senate plans to take up legislation next week criminalizing the distribution of sexually explicit pictures and video without the subject's permission, often referred to as "revenge porn," in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [AG Campbell says Milton can't 'pick and choose' which laws to abide by]( Milton’s opposition to a new Massachusetts law to increase housing near mass transit stations has several layers and arguments. However, speaking on WBUR's All Things Considered, Attorney General Andrea Campbell said the town can’t pick and choose which laws to follow. [Read more.]( [AG Campbell says Milton can't 'pick and choose' which laws to abide by]( Milton’s opposition to a new Massachusetts law to increase housing near mass transit stations has several layers and arguments. However, speaking on WBUR's All Things Considered, Attorney General Andrea Campbell said the town can’t pick and choose which laws to follow. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Our spring arts guides continue with theater critic Jacquinn Sinclair's [preview of 14 productions coming soon to a Boston-area stage](. Meanwhile, WBUR contributor Katherine Ouellette has [nine books by New England authors]( to read as the weather warms. - [A new documentary]( premiering Sunday at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, looks at the multifaceted life of Myles Connor, the infamous Boston thief who was also the frontman for a rock band. (Connor himself will be there and speak after the screening.) - Ireland's top leader called for a ceasefire in Gaza [during a speech this week in Dorchester]( invoking the words JFK. Here's [a look at why Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian nations]( in the world. - [Skiing]( [pond hockey]( [ice block harvesting](... and now syrup? Many producers in New Hampshire say this year's Maple Weekend is tinged with anxiety, [as climate change throws sap season out of whack](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Inside the Blunders That Plunged the College Admission Season Into Disarray ([The New York Times]( - Braintree invested nearly half a million dollars in pickleball courts. Now it’s paying the cost of angry neighbors. ([The Boston Globe]( - What’s the Price of a Childhood Turned Into Content? ([Cosmopolitan](  Tell Me Something Good [A library vending machine comes to Cape Cod]( The Osterville Village Library hopes a new vending machine that can hold up to 250 pieces of media will allow more people to access the library in their own time. [Read more.]( [A library vending machine comes to Cape Cod]( The Osterville Village Library hopes a new vending machine that can hold up to 250 pieces of media will allow more people to access the library in their own time. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common explains [what Gov. Maura Healey's pardon plan for misdemeanor marijuana convictions means for the folks affected](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Kosciuszko Circle has nothing on [your local Market Basket](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.