The Internal Revenue Service vastly overstated the projected costs of operating the Direct File free tax preparation program before terminating it for this tax season, according to a new report.

(NEXSTAR) – In 2025, nearly 300,000 Americans used a new electronic system to file their taxes directly with the IRS for free. In 2026, that’s no longer an option. IRS Direct File launched as a pilot ...

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 ...

IRS Free File, which offers free guided tax preparation for lower-income taxpayers and free electronic fillable forms for all ...

A view of an IRS Direct File promotional sign at the Internal Revenue Service Building on April 5, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project) The ...

The IRS Direct File program, a free tax filing option, has been discontinued for the 2026 tax season. The program was ended by the Trump Administration after a two-year pilot due to low participation ...

The IRS shut down its direct filing program for 2026, but Free File, Fillable Forms, MilTax, and some private tools remain—if you know where to look. Here’s how to navigate the free options still ...