(CNN) — 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.

Before you get too down about tax season, here’s some good news: for many Americans, filing this year will be easier – and cheaper – than ever.

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

In 2025, nearly 300,000 Americans used a new electronic system to file their taxes directly with the IRS for free. In 2026, ...

A free way to file taxes directly with the IRS has been eliminated, leaving Americans with one fewer way to file in 2026.