The Internal Revenue Service launched a pilot program last year that allows people to file their taxes directly with the federal government for free. This project is known as Direct File and has since expanded to 25 states.

The IRS’ free tax-preparation program remains a free option for taxpayers this year, but the fate of a group of government technologists that helped develop it is less certain.

President Trump’s “special government employee,” Elon Musk, announced on Monday that he has dissolved the Internal Revenue Service’s free file program, effectively firing the staff who worked on the popular program.

Free File allows taxpayers who earned below certain thresholds in 2024 to file their taxes electronically for free using brand-name software provided by commercial tax filing companies. Free File Fillable forms are available to any income level and provide free electronic forms that people fill out and file themselves — also at no cost.

In a post on X, unelected government official Elon Musk revealed that he has cut the staff of the Internal Revenue Service that oversaw the system that allows Americans to file their taxes for free easily on its website.

That’s because Kansas is one of 25 states now allowing taxpayers to file their federal taxes directly to the Internal Revenue Service free of charge. The IRS’ direct file is for anyone whose worked in any of the participating states for all of 2024. If you only worked in Kansas for part of 2024, you wouldn’t be eligible.

Filers with Adjusted Gross Income, known as AGI, of less than $84,000 can use IRS Free File to complete returns at no charge. Free File offers tax preparation software from eight companies and gives free online access to preparation and filing software.

Tax season can be stressful from gathering all the required documents to finding a trusted place to file. Here are some options for filing for free.

This should be a banner year for taxpayers seeking free tax-preparation. But one key IRS program is under fire.

Discover how the expanded IRS Direct File program can simplify your tax filing process this 2025 season, offering a free, secure, and efficient way to submit your federal tax returns.