The program facedsignificant political opposition and was shut down in late 2025. As of January 2026, the program will not be available for the current tax season. If you relied on the service before, you'll need to find a different way to file your 2025 tax return before the April 15, 2026, deadline.
Many tax software programs, including TurboTax and H&R Block, advertise free filing to individuals with simple tax returns. But as many filers have discovered, tax filing software often comes with hidden charges and requires that you upgrade to a paid version in many common tax situations.
CNET has tested and reviewed seven top at-home tax services, including free DIY tax software. Here's more about why Direct File ended and what your current options are for cheap tax filing services.
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IRS Direct File was a free system for filing federal returns during the 2024 and 2025 tax seasons. It was available to taxpayers with simple returns, i.e., those with W-2, Social Security, retirement, or unemployment income who claim the standard deduction.
The Direct File program, launched as a pilot in 2024, was available in 12 states, offering support in both English and Spanish. The service was upgraded and expanded to 25 states in 2025. Though it didn't prepare state returns, in some states, users could opt to transfer their federal tax data to state filing tools.
The IRS estimated that approximately 30 million Americans were eligible to use the Direct File program. Fewer than 300,000 actually did, though user satisfaction was generally positive.
In early November 2025, the IRS sent an email to the 25 states that participated in the program saying that the program would not be available for the upcoming filing season and that no launch date had been set for the future. As of early January, the Direct File website is no longer accessible.
Why did Direct File end?
Throughout 2025, the IRS Free Direct File program faced heavy opposition from Republican lawmakers and tax industry groups, both of which had pressed the Trump administration to end it. A report prepared for Congress by the US Department of the Treasury cited low participation and high costs relative to usage.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who currently serves as acting IRS commissioner, said in November that "we think the private sector can do a better job." The report also said that Direct File duplicated other free tax options, including IRS Free File.
The former IRS website _https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free says "P_age not found" if you try to access it. IRS.gov
Is the IRS Free File program also ending?
The IRS Free File program -- a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of private-sector tax prep services that includes big names like TaxAct and TaxSlayer -- will still be open in January 2026.
Launched in 2003, the Free File program allows taxpayers to e-file their taxes for free through select Free File Alliance partners, provided they meet certain income requirements (see below). Separate from the Free File program, users of all income groups also have the option of preparing their returns using IRS free fillable forms.
How can I get a copy of my tax return if I used Direct File?
If you filed your taxes through Direct File in a previous year, you can request a copy of your return by submitting IRS Form 4506 and paying a $30 fee. You'll need to print out the form and mail it, as there's no option to submit it electronically.
Free alternatives to Direct File
Despite the end of Direct File, you still have several ways to file your taxes for free.
IRS Free File and free fillable forms
As mentioned earlier, the IRS Free File program will continue. This program lets you e-file your federal taxes using guided software from Free File partners if your adjusted gross income (AGI) doesn't exceed $84,000. Each partner may have their own additional eligibility restrictions in addition to the general income requirement.
Unlike the "free" tiers offered directly by many popular tax software programs, IRS Free File covers even complicated tax situations (such as business income or itemized deductions) completely free, as long as you meet the income requirements. In addition to your federal return, you may be able to file your state return for free as well, depending on the partner program and your state of residency.
To use the Free File program, start on the IRS website, choose a tax software partners and follow the link to the partner's website. You won't get the free service if you go directly through the partner's own website.
Free Spanish tax filing is available through the Free File partner EzTaxReturn.com if you live in an eligible state and meet the other eligibility requirements.
You can use IRS free fillable forms regardless of your income. Fillable forms have less guidance than guided tax software, and you'll need to do most calculations yourself. Note that you can't use free fillable forms to file state taxes.
Free tax software
Many commercial tax software providers offer a free version of their software, although it typically only covers a narrow range of tax situations, usually limited to W-2 income and the standard deduction. Depending on the specific software, you may need to upgrade if your tax situation is more complex, and filing state taxes often costs extra.
If you're concerned that you'll be hit with unexpected charges, consider Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA. Federal tax filing is free with both services, regardless of how complex your return is. You can also file one state return for free with Cash App Taxes, though you'll pay $15.99 to file a state return with FreeTaxUSA.
IRS in-person help programs
The IRS offers two major programs to provide in-person tax support to senior and low-income taxpayers.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers assistance to individuals who prepare their own tax returns. The program is designed for individuals with incomes below $67,000, as well as those with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program provides tax preparation assistance to individuals aged 60 and older. Volunteers with the program focus more on retirement-related questions and other issues that affect older people.
Both programs are managed by the IRS, but they're operated by volunteers. Sites are often located in neighborhood or community centers. Find assistance near you by using the VITA/TCE locator.
