The federal government has suspended IRS Direct File, a program that allows taxpayers to file free federal tax returns directly to the IRS.
Launched as a 12-state pilot program in 2023, IRS Direct File expanded to 25 states two years later. But uptake was always limited: In the 2025 tax season, only 297,000 federal returns — about 0.2% — were processed through Direct File.
Republican lawmakers described the $41 million program as "unauthorized and wasteful." The One Big Beautiful Bill Act included funding for a task force to investigate replacing Direct File, but by November 2025, the link on the IRS website led to a 404 error.
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Direct File was only available to taxpayers who took the standard deduction and had limited types of income, credits and deductions.
In 2025, individual filers had to earn no more than $200,000 (or $168,600 if they had multiple employers). Married couples filing jointly had a limit of $250,000, while married filing separately were capped at $125,000.
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Other ways to file for free
There are still numerous cost-free options for filing federal and state tax returns.
IRS Free File
A partnership between the IRS and leading tax prep sites, Free File enables taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less to file online for free. Even if you don't meet the income requirement, you can still use the fillable forms to prepare your own return.
Online tax software
Most top tax-prep companies have a free tier for simple returns, including H&R Block, which will allow you to file both state and federal returns.
H&R Block
Free version
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TurboTax's Do It Yourself plan allows you to report child tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, deductions for student loan interest and some investment interest and dividends. According to TurboTax, about 37% of filers qualify for free filing.
TurboTax
Free version
If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A), you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Expert Assist Basic at the listed price. Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.
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Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) funds free tax preparation for Americans 60 and older, while the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free in-person filing assistance for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less, or who have a disability or limited English-speaking skills.
FAQs
When are taxes due?
For most taxpayers, the deadline to file a 2025 federal tax return is Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at midnight local time.
What happens if you can't pay your taxes?
You can ask the IRS for up to 120 days to pay your taxes or apply for an offer in compromise or a payment plan that allows you to spread out the debt over months or years. If you can prove financial hardship, you may qualify for "currently not collectible status" and avoid having to pay until your circumstances improve.
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