The Internal Revenue Service has ended its Direct File program for the 2026 filing season, pulling back a government-run tool ...

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 ...

Our savvy readers select their favorite (and least favorite) tax prep software based on their own filing experience. And the big names don't always come out on top.

Unfortunately for American taxpayers, Direct File was not beloved by the tax preparation industry. Intuit, the maker of ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. zeljkosantrac / Getty Images The ...

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 ...

The IRS is still offering its Free File program, which is one of several ways you may be able to file your taxes for free ...

The IRS Direct File program was eliminated for the 2026 tax filing season. However, there are still several free tax preparation software options for some filers.

If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, ...

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 ...