Trump shut down ‘Direct File.’ Here are other ways to file your taxes for free in NC.

The Trump administration might have shut down the IRS Direct File program, but there are still ways to file your taxes for free in NC.

The Trump administration shut down the “Direct File” program through the IRS, leaving many Americans with one fewer free tax filing option in 2026.

Direct File was originally launched during former President Joe Biden’s term, and was intended to simplify federal tax filing for millions of Americans while saving them money. First launched as a pilot for tax year 2023 in 12 states, the program expanded the next year to 25 states, including North Carolina.

Supporters of the program have worried that Americans will spend more time and money filing their taxes. Critics of Direct File, however, claim that the program cost taxpayers a lot of money to develop, but few Americans used it.

With tax season approaching, here’s what to know about the end of the program, other free filing programs and more.

Can I still file my taxes for free in 2026? What happened to IRS Direct File?

Critics of Direct File stated that it cost taxpayers a lot of money to develop, but few Americans used it. USA TODAY reported that Direct File had the lowest participation of all free tax preparation programs, with just under 141,000 returns filed during the tax year 2023 pilot program with a dozen states.

While Direct File is no longer available, there are still free options for filing your federal taxes. Some free options for taxpayers include:

• IRS Free File. Free tax preparation software, available only on IRS.gov, from eight private companies partnering with the IRS for eligible taxpayers. Last year, taxpayers qualified if 2024 adjusted gross income (AGI) was $84,000 or less. IRS Free File also provides fillable forms for use by any taxpayer, regardless of income, who is comfortable preparing their own return.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly. IRS-certified volunteers at some community organizations who provide free tax help for eligible taxpayers, including working families, the elderly, the disabled and people who speak limited English. AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide, part of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly, is billed as the nation’s largest free, volunteer-staffed program to help people prepare and file taxes. In 2024, nearly 28,000 volunteers helped almost 1.7 million taxpayers file returns, it said.
• MilTax. A Department of Defense program that generally offers free return preparation and electronic filing software for federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns for all military members and some veterans, with no income limit.
• H&R Block Online Free Edition. While H&R Block no longer participates in Free File, the tax preparation giant offers its own free service. According to the website, 52% of taxpayers qualify for the Online Free Edition. You must have a relatively straightforward return.
• TurboTax Free Edition. TurboTax, too, offers free tax preparation to taxpayers with relatively simple returns. Roughly 37% of filers qualify.

When is Tax Day 2026? When are 2025 taxes due?

Taxes for 2025 are due for most of us by April 15, 2026, which falls on a Wednesday. If you don’t expect to file by then, you can request a six-month extension.

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What happens if I miss the tax deadline?

If you fail to file your federal tax return on time, the standard penalty is 5% of any tax due for every month the return is late, up to 25% of the unpaid balance. If you file a return but fail to pay any taxes you owe, or if you get an extension, you typically face a much smaller monthly penalty: 0.5% of any unpaid amount.

Where is my federal tax refund?

You can check the status of your federal tax refund on the dedicated IRS webpage. You’ll need your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount on your return.

The status will appear 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three or four days after you e-file a prior-year return or four weeks after you file a paper return. The site also states that refund status info is updated overnight once every 24 hours.

Here’s how to decipher the status of your federal tax return:

• Return Received – The IRS received your return and is currently processing it.
• Refund Approved – The IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to issue it. The issue date should be included.
• Refund Sent – The IRS has sent the refund by direct deposit or by mail. Keep in mind that it could take five days for it to show up in your bank account, or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail after it is sent by the IRS.

President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office in December 2025. Trump’s administration shut down the IRS Direct File program for tax filing, saying it was a waste of resources. (Lucas Parker via Shutterstock)

Where is my North Carolina state tax refund?

As for your state taxes, you may have to wait a bit longer. The North Carolina Department of Revenue webpage states that its review process typically takes three to six weeks after the electronic submittal date, or up to 12 weeks if you filed a paper return.

To check the status of your state refund, you’ll need the first social security number shown on the return and the exact amount of refund shown on your return. The state has a few more possible statuses for your refund compared to the IRS:

• Return Received – The NCDOR has received your return.
• Processing and Validating Return Information – The NCDOR is processing and validating your return.
• Return Under Initial Review – The NCDOR is reviewing your return for identity verification and refund fraud protection measures.
• Return Requires Enhanced Protection Measures – You may see this status if the NCDOR decides to complete further review of your return to ensure the security of your information.
• Return Requires Further Examination – You may see this status if the NCDOR deems it necessary to further examine your return before approval of a refund.
• Refund Approved – The NCDOR has approved your refund and is working to issue it as soon as possible.
• Refund Issued – The NCDOR has issued your refund.

Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect