In 2025, approximately 300,000 Americans embraced a new electronic system that allowed them to file their taxes directly with the IRS at no cost. Unfortunately, this convenience will not extend into 2026.

The IRS Direct File initiative, which debuted as a pilot program in 2024, offered a straightforward, free online tax filing option directly with the Internal Revenue Service. The Biden administration had initially planned for its permanent establishment, expanding its reach to 25 states by 2025.

While supporters praised the program for simplifying, speeding up, and reducing the cost of tax filing, it encountered opposition. Republican lawmakers criticized it as an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money, arguing that existing free filing programs already served this purpose, albeit less efficiently. Additionally, commercial tax preparation companies, which have profited substantially by charging for their services, were not in favor of this initiative.