Americans Can Still File Their Taxes for Free in 2026
Over 250,000 Americans filed their taxes for free with the Internal Revenue Service last year, using the IRS Direct File option. IRS Direct File was introduced in 2024, and the previous presidential administration announced that it would be permanent in 2025, covering an additional 25 states from its initial launch.
The Direct File option was shuttered in November, with new treasury secretary Scott Bessent citing “low participation and relatively high costs and burdens on the federal government” for the change. The Treasury reported that the Direct File tool cost $41 million to operate for tax year 2024, amounting to an additional $138 per individual federal tax return.
Additional methods for filing federal taxes remain, but they are subject to conditions and rules that some Americans may not be eligible to meet. The IRS offers Free File for federal taxes, but applicants must meet certain criteria.
Free Filing Available on Conditional Basis
Free File is only offered to those who make less than $84,000 a year, and that option will allow filers to partner with private tax services like Turbo Tax and H&R Block. Those who exceed the income requirement can still opt for the Free File forms, but they'll essentially be required to do their taxes on their own without help from the external services.
In its guide to the Free File fillable forms, the IRS warns that "if you are not comfortable with completing a paper return, using only the forms and instructions as a guide to file a correct return, this program is not for you."
Other options for free filing include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), in which free tax services are provided to older Americans making less than $67,000, Americans with disabilities and for those who are learning English as a second language.
MilTax is also a free option for service members, select members of their families, survivors and veterans who are in their first year after leaving the service.
Potential Options for Those Who Qualify
FreeTaxUSA offers free electronic filing for all Americans, regardless of income. The free benefit extends to federal taxes, while filing on the state level with FreeTaxUSA will cost $15.99. In addition to their regularly offered tax services, both TurboTax and H&R Block offer free federal filing for select customers.
TurboTax says that around 37% of taxpayers qualify for free filing under its current regulations, while roughly 55% will qualify for free filing with H&R Block.
Some states - California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts,Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania among them - also offer free state filing (if conditions are met.)