Direct File — the short-lived, free IRS tax-filing tool — is officially over, shut down less than two years after launch amid shifting priorities in Washington. During its brief run, Direct File gave taxpayers a streamlined, no-upsell way to file their federal taxes for free. Close to 300,000 taxpayers across 25 states used it in tax year 2024 (calendar year 2025). The site going dark marks a swift reversal for a program the IRS once framed as a major win for consumers. Here’s exactly what Direct File ...