IRS Direct File is no longer available: the IRS said the service would be available through October 15, 2025, and its current guidance for the 2026 filing season points taxpayers to other free filing and tax-help options. Direct File’s 2025 season covered eligible residents of 25 states filing federal returns for tax year 2024; it did not prepare state returns.
Is IRS Direct File still available?
No. The IRS stated that Direct File would be available through October 15, 2025. The IRS’s 2026 filing-season guidance describes other free options and does not establish a later reopening or a Direct File season for 2026. The IRS guidance does not explain why the service ended. IRS: Tips and resources to help last minute tax filers; IRS: 2026 tax filing season opens with several free filing options available
What Direct File covered
Direct File was an online service for preparing and submitting federal tax returns directly to the IRS. In the 2025 filing season, eligible taxpayers in 25 states could use it to file their 2024 federal returns. It did not prepare state returns; residents of participating states could be directed to state-supported tools separately. IRS Publication 6036: IRS Direct File Outreach Guide
The IRS said more than 140,000 taxpayers filed through Direct File during its 2024 pilot. That is a historical pilot figure, not a count for the service’s final season. IRS Publication 6036
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What to use instead of Direct File
The IRS lists several free options for the 2026 filing season. Their eligibility, state-return coverage and level of assistance differ, so choose based on your return and circumstances rather than assuming any one option works just like Direct File.
| Option | Who it may suit | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File guided software | Eligible taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less for the 2026 filing season | Online guided tax preparation from participating providers. Eligibility rules and state-return offers vary by provider. |
| Free File Fillable Forms | Taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns, regardless of income | Online fillable federal forms; the taxpayer does the calculations and preparation. State return coverage is not stated in the cited IRS guidance. |
| MilTax | Eligible members of the military community | A free tax-preparation option. Check current eligibility and service details. |
| VITA | Qualifying people, including those with low-to-moderate income, disabilities or limited English proficiency | Free basic tax preparation from trained volunteers; availability and eligibility should be confirmed locally. |
| TCE | Qualifying taxpayers; the program prioritizes people aged 60 and older | Free tax-preparation assistance from trained volunteers; confirm current eligibility and local service availability. |
Sources: IRS: File your taxes for free; IRS: Options for free filing and tax help; IRS: 2026 tax filing season opens with several free filing options available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a free filing option
- Check the tax year and income rule. The IRS’s $89,000 adjusted-gross-income threshold applies to 2025 income for the 2026 filing season and to Free File guided software, not automatically to every free program.
- Confirm state-return coverage. Direct File handled federal returns only. Free File partner offers for state returns vary, and state coverage for other options should be checked with the program or provider.
- Choose the help level you need. Fillable Forms are for people who can prepare their own returns; VITA and TCE provide volunteer assistance to qualifying taxpayers. MilTax is for eligible members of the military community.
- Verify that your tax situation is supported. Review the current provider or program rules for your income, credits and deductions before beginning. IRS eligibility thresholds and partner offers can change.
Start with the IRS’s current Free File information and free tax-help options, then confirm the participating provider’s terms or local volunteer-site availability.
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