The free direct file on the IRS may be dead, but what if you haven’t submitted it yet?


Hand holding a sign with "Free tax use IRS direct file" Purple colored against IRS building sign.

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Report of IRS Direct File’sDeath may have been unexaggerated in the end.

The agency’s free program for filing e-tax returns could be the latest victim of the Trump administration’s DOGE efficiency team. Report by Associated Press. It cited two anonymous sources who were familiar with the decision staff said they were told to stop working on the program for the 2026 tax return season.

Rumors about the end of the service began in February with a social media post from Elon Musk, the head of Doge who claimed to be the head of the office. IRS Direct Files “Deleted.” No matter what masks and government efficiency, or Doge is doing, files are now available directly to residents of 25 states that have been deployed to date.

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Official IRS Web Page Currently, if users miss the April 15th deadline, or if they The deadline has been extended Due to natural disasters.

It is unclear what will happen to the Services in the near future, but an IRS representative responding to inquiries from CNET said that tax returns already filed via direct files will be treated like any other returns and should not be affected by changes to the program.

What is a direct file?

Direct files were first deployed by the IRS in 12 states in 2024, allowing taxpayers to submit annual returns directly to agents for free. This was an extension of the previous, but unequivocal, free file service. Musk’s claim to eliminate the programme caused concern and confusion among many, as the service was generally well received.

The program was expanded into 2025, with new features and availability in 25 states.

The Trump administration’s move, including an indefinite employment freeze in the IRS, has sparked concerns about whether tax returns will slow down this year. Still, these concerns It seems there is no basis for the time being.

Will the file be removed directly?

Speaking to CNET via email, Jassen Bowman, an IRS registered agent and all tax expert, said both the agency and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had pledged to maintain at least the 2025 application season. But given what’s been there for now, the short-term future is not clear and could be exposed to volatile decisions, so anyone who still needs to use it this year should act quickly.

“That being said, things are becoming a little more unpredictable in Washington, so there is always a chance that the administration can decide to pull the program,” writes Bowman. “My advice to anyone entitled to use the file directly is to use it, but I will closely monitor the status of the return when it is processed and, of course, keep all copies submitted.”

How can I use files safely this year?

As for whether the program will exist for the rest of the 2025 tax season, Bowman has detailed the steps that taxpayers will need to use the file directly if they choose to use it this year.

“Anyone who uses files directly on his 2024 tax returns should closely monitor the status of his return,” explained Bowman. “The process should not take a few days. On top of that, don’t throw away these W-2s and other documents. Instead, keep all the documents you used to file a return and keep a copy of your tax return. This is always good advice, but you could potentially make a processed return that was already submitted, especially if the IRS is now shutting down the program.”



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