IRS to Discontinue Free Tax-Filing Tool in 2026

Direct File, a free tax filing service initiated by the Biden administration, will not be available for the 2026 tax season, according to a letter from the IRS. Although it was successfully piloted in 2024 and used in 2025 across 25 states, former IRS Commissioner Billy Long indicated that the program has been eliminated. The funding from the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed in July 2025 is intended for research on alternative e-file options. Currently, the Direct File project’s leadership position is vacant, further complicating its future.

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