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 ...

You may think “free” tax filing means zero cost, nothing to lose, no catch. But free in 2026 often means “free until something valuable gets rolled out of your digital backpack.” Here’s our ...

The Internal Revenue Service notified Oregon and other states on Monday that the federal government has canceled a free, fledgling tax-filing program — IRS Direct File — that set out to allow millions ...

The IRS shut down its Direct File tax filing system, leaving taxpayers with one less option to file their returns for free. Direct File, launched during the Biden administration, was meant to serve as ...

The IRS Direct File program is no longer available. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project) We knew that it was coming, but now we know for sure: Direct File, the free ...

Paying to file your taxes feels like a kick in the teeth when you’re already paying Uncle Sam more than he deserves. Add in the fact that the Trump administration pulled the plug on the free IRS ...

It costs Americans an average of about $290 to file a tax return, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Thankfully, most major tax software companies offer a free tier, so you don't have to pay ...

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. Dawn Allcot is a full-time freelance ...

The agency still offers a Free File program that works with commercial tax software firms. Some companies also offer free tools for certain filers. By Ann Carrns The federal government tested a free, ...

Elizabeth Guevara is a personal finance reporter who explains the world of business and economics and how it impacts your finances. She joined Investopedia in 2024. Getty Images The IRS Direct File ...

Rumors of the demise of the free IRS tax filing software Direct File have been circulating since Tax Day 2025. On Monday, the IRS officially ended the program, at least for 2026. In a letter to 25 ...