Where to File Your Taxes for Free Now That the IRS Direct File Pilot Is Gone

The IRS Direct File system was launched with great anticipation — a government-run portal that would allow taxpayers to file directly with the IRS at no cost. But after evaluation, funding battles, and limited adoption, the IRS has officially ended the Direct File experiment for 2026.

That leaves millions of taxpayers asking the same question:

What free tax-filing options remain?

Fortunately, there are still legitimate, cost-free alternatives — but they’re not as straightforward as clicking “File with IRS.”

What Happened to IRS Direct File?

Direct File was created to:

• bypass commercial tax prep software
• allow taxpayers to enter numbers directly into an IRS system
• simplify filing for straightforward returns

But the program faced:

• internal IRS scaling problems
• lack of bipartisan congressional support
• strong opposition from tax-software lobbyists
• limited multi-state compatibility
• user experience complaints and abandonment

Simply put:

It never achieved operational maturity.

And so — for now — IRS Direct File is gone.

Free Option #1: IRS Free File (Private Partner Software)

Rather than filing directly with the IRS, taxpayers can still use:

IRS Free File

This program allows eligible taxpayers to file federal returns for free using commercial tax software providers.

Eligibility is typically:

• AGI of $79,000 or less (subject to annual inflation adjustments)

Benefits:

• brand-name tax software
• guided interface
• online submission
• audit-assist features from software providers

Drawbacks:

• optional “upsell” screens
• state filing may not always be free
• certain credits and forms may trigger paid upgrades

Still, for many taxpayers — this is the easiest free alternative.

Free Option #2: VITA/TCE In-Person Assistance

Two trusted programs supported by the IRS:

• VITA — Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
• TCE — Tax Counseling for the Elderly

Who qualifies:

• VITA: low-to-moderate income (generally below $64,000)
• TCE: primarily taxpayers age 60+

These programs provide:

• in-person assistance
• expert review by certified volunteers
• help with common credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit
• personal guidance instead of self-filing

This option is especially beneficial for:

• seniors
• non-native English speakers
• those not comfortable with online forms
• taxpayers with questions about withholding or refund timing

Who Really Loses with Direct File Gone?

Taxpayers with:

• very simple returns
• only W-2 wages
• no dependents
• no credits
• no special deductions

These filers would have benefitted from a clean government-built portal.

Now they must rely on:

• commercial software
  or
• VITA/TCE in-person services

Who Probably Doesn’t Miss Direct File?

Taxpayers with:

• multiple income sources
• dependents
• EITC or ACTC
• premium tax credit
• self-employment income
• retirement income
• amended filings
• rental or investment income

These returns already required software logic that Direct File didn’t fully support.

The Future: Will Direct File Come Back?

For 2026 — no.
For 2027 — uncertain.
For eventual reinstatement — possible but unlikely unless:

• Congress explicitly authorizes IRS expansion
• technical capability improves
• commercial tax-software resistance weakens
• public sentiment strongly demands it

For now, Direct File is shelved.

Final Recommendation for Taxpayers

For free online filing:
Use IRS Free File through participating private partners.

For in-person filing assistance:
Use VITA/TCE sites.

For maximum refund optimization:
Use a professional preparer or Enrolled Agent if your taxes are complex.

Direct File may have failed — but free options still exist.
You can still file at no cost through:

• IRS Free File software partners
• VITA/TCE on-site preparation services

Just because Direct File died doesn’t mean taxpayers are out of free filing choices — it simply means you now need to navigate the existing free-filing ecosystem more strategically.