A Treasury watchdog report found that the tax agency projected $61.2 million in costs for the free electronic filing tool in ...

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 ...

If you've been following the news about your taxes, you've likely heard about the impending changes. One of the key points in the new tax law is the termination of the IRS's Direct File program. Yes, ...

WASHINGTON — IRS Direct File, the electronic system for filing tax returns for free, will not be offered next year, the Trump administration has confirmed. An email sent Monday from IRS official ...

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) introduced legislation on Thursday to revive and permanently lock in the IRS's free Direct File program, a government-run online option ...

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who served under President Bill Clinton, claimed in a tweet Wednesday that the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) “free tax filing tool is reportedly ‘gone.’ This ...

“Direct File worked really well, and it's a great example of how the IRS can do technology, or how the government can do technology, effectively,” said former IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel. For a ...

A new report from the tax agency that was requested by congressional Republicans said that dropping Direct File “is in the best interests of American taxpayers and the IRS.” IRS Customer Experience ...

Direct File was launched as a pilot program in 2024. It allowed eligible taxpayers in a limited number of states to file their federal returns directly with the IRS at no cost. The program was ...

Sen. Chris Coons advocates for Direct File Act, legislation that would allow taxpayers to file directly with the IRS.

Get the latest federal technology news delivered to your inbox. The “big, beautiful bill" passed by House Republicans Thursday directs the IRS to study how it can replace Direct File, a free, online ...

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 ...