Only 2% of federal income tax returns were filed through Free File, despite 70% of filers qualifying. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who ...

When it comes to their federal income tax returns, tens of millions of US households pay for tax preparation and filing. Yet many might qualify to do so for free through IRS-approved programs. So why ...

With so many online filing platforms available, the best tax software for you is the one that fits your tax situation, helps you file accurately and keeps costs reasonable. Some filers need only a ...

It’s that time of year again. The Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing federal tax returns on Monday, Jan. 26, marking the official start of the 2026 filing season, the federal ...

Emily Long is a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City. After graduating from Duke University, she spent several years reporting on the federal workforce for Government Executive, a publication of ...

Tax season requires more than filling out a few forms. For many people, it means tracking income from multiple sources, understanding new tax rules and deciding when and how to file to avoid delays, ...

Free File is not Direct File, which the IRS has discontinued for the 2026 tax season. This tax season, according to the IRS, eight private-sector partners are offering guided tax software products ...

Listen, filing for your taxes can be annoying enough. And paying places like TurboTax to do it can add to the aggravation. So, here’s how you can file your taxes at no cost to yourself. According to a ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The Trump administration shut down the "Direct File" program through the IRS, leaving many Americans with one fewer free tax ...

The Trump administration has shut down the IRS "Direct File" program, which was a free tax filing option. Critics of Direct File cited high development costs and low user participation for its closure ...

The IRS shut down its direct filing program for 2026, but Free File, Fillable Forms, MilTax, and some private tools remain—if you know where to look. Here’s how to navigate the free options still ...

Elizabeth Guevara is a personal finance reporter who explains the world of business and economics and how it impacts your finances. She joined Investopedia in 2024. zeljkosantrac / Getty Images The ...