As of 2026, the IRS has officially ended its free Direct File Tax software. Getty Images/CNET
This tax season, you'll have one less option for filing your return. The IRS ended its free Direct File program, which had allowed taxpayers to bypass tax software services and file directly with the IRS. The program was intended to cut filing costs and increase access to free filing, according to the US Government Accountability Office.
The program faced significant 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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What was IRS Direct File?
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.
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