SB 591 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Income tax, state; free tax filing program for individuals.

Summary

Department of Taxation; free tax filing program for individuals. Directs the Tax Commissioner to develop and offer a free individual state income tax filing program, effective beginning in taxable year 2028, that is similar to the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Direct File Program as it existed during the 2025 tax filing season. The bill contains technical amendments that remove obsolete language regarding fillable forms. This bill is identical to HB 1180.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Mar 31, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill finalizes the passage of legislation establishing a new, free electronic tax filing program for Virginia residents starting in the 2028 tax year. The primary change is the addition of a new section requiring the Tax Commissioner to create this program, which will be less restrictive than federal IRS Direct File criteria and compatible with future federal systems. The bill also formally repeals the 2010 law that originally created the Virginia Free File program.

Scope change

The bill's scope expands by adding a mandate for a new, broader free filing program that begins in 2028, while simultaneously removing the legal authority for the previous 2010 program.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement to launch a new free electronic tax filing program for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2028.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that the new program's eligibility criteria be less restrictive than those of the federal IRS Direct File Program.

Required the Tax Commissioner to ensure the new program remains compatible with any future free direct tax e-file systems offered by the federal government.

SCOPE

Repealed Chapter 535 of the Acts of Assembly of 2010, which established the original Virginia Free File program.

TECHNICAL

Converted the document from an enrolled bill format to a chaptered act format, including adding the official chapter number and approval date.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 28, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Jan 28, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 31, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 32 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB591ER)

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Finance (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Finance

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by Senate as amended

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendment (14-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors