Can you still file taxes for free after IRS changes? |
Can you still file taxes for free after IRS changes?
(NEXSTAR) – A free way to file taxes directly with the IRS has been eliminated, leaving Americans with one less way to file in 2026.
While nearly 300,000 taxpayers used IRS Direct File last year, the program is no longer an option this year. There’s still a free way to file directly with the Internal Revenue Service, but it’s not available to everyone.
With tax day fast approaching, here’s what you need to know about filing taxes for free.
What was IRS Direct File and why did the Trump administration get rid of it?
IRS Direct File launched as a pilot program in 2024 as a way for Americans to file directly with the IRS online and for free. The Biden administration announced it would become permanent, expanding it to cover 25 states in 2025.
Proponents said it made tax filing easy, fast and economical. However, it faced criticism from Republican lawmakers, who called it a waste of taxpayer money because free filing programs already exist (though they are difficult to use). Commercial tax preparation companies weren’t big fans of IRS Direct File either, considering they have made billions from charging people to use their software.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is also the acting IRS........