⚠️ This program has ended. IRS Direct File is NOT available for the 2026 filing season (tax year 2025). On November 4, 2025, the IRS notified the 25 participating states by email that "IRS Direct File will not be available in Filing Season 2026" and that "no launch date has been set for the future." The IRS's own 2026 filing-season announcement lists Free File, Free File Fillable Forms, MilTax, and VITA/TCE as the free options — Direct File is no longer listed. [Source: federalnewsnetwork.com/it-modernization/2025/11/irs-direct-file-will-not-be-available-in-2026-agency-tells-states (accessed 2026-05-16); irs.gov/newsroom/2026-tax-filing-season-opens-with-several-free-filing-options-available (accessed 2026-05-16)]
Last verified: 2026-05-16
File your taxes for free — alternatives that work in California
If you used Direct File in 2024 or 2025, here are the free options still available for the 2026 filing season:
Federal returns (free)
- IRS Free File — Free guided tax software if your 2025 Adjusted Gross Income is $89,000 or less. Several private software partners participate; some also offer free state filing. → irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free [Source: irs.gov/newsroom/2026-tax-filing-season-opens-with-several-free-filing-options-available (accessed 2026-05-16)]
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) — Free in-person tax help for people who generally make $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited-English speakers. IRS-certified volunteers. → irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers [Source: irs.gov (accessed 2026-05-16)]
- TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) — Free help focused on taxpayers age 60 and older, especially questions about pensions and retirement. → Same IRS locator as VITA above.
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide — Free help; open to all ages but designed around taxpayers age 50+ with low-to-moderate income. → aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/
- GetYourRefund — Free, fully virtual VITA service (upload documents, get help by phone/video). → getyourrefund.org
- Cash App Taxes — 100% free federal and state filing, no income cap. Mobile-app based. Not affiliated with the IRS. → cash.app/taxes
California state return (free)
- CalFile — California Franchise Tax Board's free direct-to-FTB filing tool. Most low-income filers qualify (the AGI cap for the 2025 tax year is $252,203 single / $378,310 head of household / $504,411 married filing jointly). You need a MyFTB account; to register you must have filed a CA return in one of the last 5 years. CalFile only supports the standard deduction and excludes business, farm, rental, and partnership income. → ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/index.asp [Source: ftb.ca.gov (accessed 2026-05-16)]
Key 2026 filing dates
- Filing season opened: January 26, 2026 [Source: irs.gov/newsroom/2026-tax-filing-season-opens-with-several-free-filing-options-available (accessed 2026-05-16)]
- Federal & California deadline: April 15, 2026
- California automatic extension to file (not to pay): October 15, 2026 [Source: ftb.ca.gov (accessed 2026-05-16)]
Local Nevada County help
VITA, TCE, and AARP Tax-Aide sites operate seasonally in Nevada County and nearby. Use the IRS site locator above or call 211 (United Way) for the nearest free tax-prep site.
Background: what Direct File was
The content below is preserved for historical reference — the program itself is no longer available.
IRS Direct File was a federal pilot launched for the 2024 filing season that let eligible taxpayers file their federal return directly with the IRS for free, online, in English or Spanish. It started in 12 states and expanded to 25 states (including California) for the 2025 filing season. Roughly 296,531 taxpayers used it in 2025, up from 140,803 in 2024. In November 2025 the IRS told states the program would not return in 2026 and gave no future launch date. [Source: federalnewsnetwork.com/it-modernization/2025/11/irs-direct-file-will-not-be-available-in-2026-agency-tells-states (accessed 2026-05-16)]
Original IRS description (archived)
Direct File is a new tax tool to file your federal taxes directly with the IRS.
Get live online support from IRS staff Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time
- Free
- Accurate
- Easy to use
- Secure
Is the Direct File pilot right for me?
This pilot currently supports simple tax needs. Use our eligibility checker to learn if the pilot supports your tax needs.
The original eligibility checker URL (directfile.irs.gov/state) and sign-in page no longer accept new filings for tax year 2025.
Freshness update (2026-05-30): Re-verified. Direct File is still closed and has NOT been reinstated. The IRS site shows "Direct File is closed. More information will be available at a later date." Former users can no longer open prior returns through the Direct File portal, but can pull a return transcript through their IRS Online Account or by mail. One thing to watch long-term: the 2025 budget law gave the Treasury \$15 million to study free-filing alternatives (aiming to let up to 70% of taxpayers file for free), but no replacement tool and no launch date exist yet. For the 2026 season, use the free options listed above.