Looking for free tax filing options in 2026? This tax season, you have one fewer opportunity since the IRS has killed off Direct File. Fortunately, there are still ways to file your taxes for free.

Even though Direct File is gone, there are still ways to file for free. (Not all options are available for all taxpayers).

Despite the IRS axing Direct File, the Free File program remains in place. Free File is a program offered through a public-private partnership between the IRS and Free File Inc., formerly the Free File Alliance. It helps eligible taxpayers file federal tax returns for free using private tax software companies that partner with the IRS. To qualify, your household adjusted gross income (AGI) must be under $84,000. State tax filing may cost extra, depending on the provider.

Free File debuted in 2003, but not without controversy. It was developed to provide free e-filing services to most taxpayers, with the goal of helping the IRS meet the 80% e-file target established by the Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

You'd assume taxpayers would flock to e-file for free. The e-file market exploded, but not necessarily for free services, prompting allegations that some providers were directing taxpayers to paid services. In 2019—the last year the Free File agreement was signed—up to 100 million taxpayers, or 70% of filers, were eligible to use Free File. The actual use was closer to 3%

In 2016, then-Forbes staffer Sam Sharf wrote an account of how, despite qualifying to file for free, it cost her $118.64 to file her 2014 tax return with TurboTax. A few years later, ProPublica wrote a series of articles focusing on the lengths to which it claims tax software companies went—such as extensive lobbying and hiding free options—to get taxpayers to pay for services. The allegations created quite a stir—and resulted in litigation.

Today, tax preparation software companies are prohibited from hiding free filing services from Google or other search results pages. Additionally, if you can't file for free after visiting a company's Free File website, you must be able to return to the Free File website to find another offer. Each IRS Free File company must provide information when you don't qualify, with a link to the IRS.gov Free File site.

Following those changes, two traditional Free File participants, Intuit and H&R Block, opted out of the program. Last year, eight private-sector Free File partners provided online guided tax software products in 2025: 1040.com, 1040Now, EzTaxReturn, FileYourTaxes.com, FreeTaxUSA, OnLine Taxes, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer.

The IRS website currently notes that Free File is closed, and advises taxpayers to check back in January 2026. I advise checking in mid-to-late January, closer to the start of the tax filing season.

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© Forbes