IRS Direct File Is Cancelled for 2026
Confirmed November 2025. Here are your best free replacements.
What happened
IRS Direct File was piloted in 2024-2025 covering approximately 25 states. It was cancelled for the 2026 filing season — confirmed Federal News Network reporting, November 2025. If you used Direct File to file your 2024 taxes, you cannot use it for your 2025 taxes.
Source: Federal News Network, November 2025 reporting. IRS budget reconciliation documentation.
Best free replacements (2026)
Cash App Taxes
$0 federal + $0 state (one state)
Closest to Direct File. No income limits, no upgrade gates. One state only.
IRS Free File partners
$0 if AGI under $84,000
Federal filing through IRS-partnered commercial software. Go to IRS.gov to find partners.
FreeTaxUSA
$0 federal + $14.99 state
Best if you have Schedule C (freelance) or need more than one state. $14.99 per state.
Commission disclosure: we earn $2-$5 from FreeTaxUSA, $0 from Cash App Taxes, and $0 from IRS Free File referrals.
Tax laws change annually. Verify current eligibility with vendors and IRS.gov before filing. This is not tax advice.