The IRS shut down its Direct File tax filing system, leaving taxpayers with one less option to file their returns for free.

The agency still offers a Free File program that works with commercial tax software firms. Some companies also offer free ...

IRS Free File is a no-cost online service for filers who had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $89,000 or less in 2025. A ...

Many DIY tax software programs offer free tax filing for basic tax situations. But if your income is complex, most will prompt you to upgrade to a paid version.

Over two dozen states incorporated the free tax software in 2025, but the IRS has decided to discontinue the program. Peter is a writer and editor for the CNET How-To team. He has been covering ...

Free File is not Direct File, which the IRS has discontinued for the 2026 tax season. This tax season, according to the IRS, eight private-sector partners are offering guided tax software products ...

Direct File is the IRS free tax preparation software program. Direct File is currently in its pilot phase, available in 25 states. To use Direct File, you have to meet certain criteria. If you don’t ...

Filing your income tax return can be, for many, a dreaded annual task. And paying to file unnecessarily can only add insult to injury. Still, many eligible filers fail to take advantage of a free ...

The IRS free tax filing program, known as Direct File, has faced heavy Republican scrutiny since its 2024 launch. Direct File expanded to more than 30 million taxpayers across 25 states for the 2025 ...

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lars Peterson joined Investopedia in 2023 as a senior editor of financial product ...

(NEXSTAR) — Tax season is back again, which means it’s time to collect your W-2 and Form 1098, and Form 1099s and start filing. While there are a slew of tax services and professionals that can help ...

TONIGHT, MAYOR. IT’S CALLED DIRECT FILE. AS IN YOU FILE DIRECTLY ON THE IRS WEBSITE AND ABOUT 850,000 BAY STATERS COULD QUALIFY. THE IRS LAUNCHED THE PILOT SOFTWARE PROGRAM TUESDAY IN 12 STATES, ...