Tax and financial planning news from around the web: October 14 – 18, 2024

IRS accelerates work on Employee Retention Credit claims, currently processing 400,000 claims worth about $10 billion 
The IRS announced continued progress on Employee Retention Credit claims, with processing underway on about 400,000 claims, representing about $10 billion of eligible claims.  

IRS Direct File expands to 24 states for tax season 2025 
Starting in tax season 2025, more taxpayers will be able to file their taxes online for free with the Internal Revenue Service's expanding Direct File program. The program, which the IRS rolled out in 12 states this year, could reshape how millions of Americans pay and prepare their taxes.