WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Taxpayers can get a head start on preparing their 2025 federal tax returns as the IRS Free File program is now available ahead of the official start of the tax ...

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 has ended the Direct File program, which let some taxpayers file their annual returns for free using software developed by the government. Many tax preparation companies opposed this, as did ...

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 ...

Americans spend an average of $290 to prepare and file their taxes, according to the National Taxpayers Union, with the cost of working with a CPA ranging from $500 to $1,200. There are free filing ...

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 ...

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 federal government tested a free, direct online tax-filing program for two years but with the change in administrations shut it down. There are still ways, though, to file your return at no charge ...

Tax season is here, which means employers have sent out W-2s, and independent contractors are adding up expenses for their 1099 forms. The IRS said it is expecting 164 million taxpayers to file ahead ...

Each year, Americans spend an average of $240 to prepare and file their annual tax returns, according to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service. And the process is so complicated that about one million ...

The agency still offers a Free File program that works with commercial tax software firms. Some companies also offer free tools for certain filers. By Ann Carrns The federal government tested a free, ...