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A wildly popular IRS pilot let hundreds of thousands file taxes for free. After two decades and $103 million in lobbying, H&R Block and Intuit helped persuade Republicans and Trump to pull the plug.
It costs Americans an average of about $290 to file a tax return, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Thankfully, most major tax software companies offer a free tier, so you don't have to pay for the privilege.
Federal and state officials are reminding taxpayers that several free options are available to file returns ahead of the April 15 deadline. IRS Free File Many taxpayers can prepare and file their
3don MSNOpinion
Trump administration shuts down IRS Direct File, taxpayers to seek other free options
The Direct File program was built by the IRS to allow people with relatively simple returns to file them online without using third-party software.
Paying to file your taxes feels like a kick in the teeth when you’re already paying Uncle Sam more than he deserves. Add in the fact that the Trump administration pulled the plug on the free IRS Direct File program, and it almost seems like tax software ...
IRS Free File allows more than 100 million people to file taxes at no cost. But only 2% of taxpayers use the service.
The Internal Revenue Service announced it would be opening up submissions of certain tax returns through its IRS Free File program for 2026. The IRS Free File program began accepting individual tax returns on Jan. 9, 2026, allowing taxpayers with an ...
The IRS' new Direct File pilot will be available for free in 13 states, but some filers might not be able to use the program. The Internal Revenue Service plans to implement a free online filing service for American taxpayers this tax season for residents ...
As tax season shifts into high gear, Americans with relatively simple financial pictures will find one less filing option on the menu. For the last two years, the IRS has offered a free in-house filing service called Direct File, which the Trump ...
The Trump administration may have shuttered Direct File – the IRS’s short-lived experiment in tax-preparation software – but it doesn’t mean you have to pay to file your taxes. There are plenty of options for free filing this tax season, which ...
The IRS has time limits, but waiting can shrink relief options while penalties and interest grow. Here's what to know for tax day.