In a significant policy shift, the IRS has announced that the Direct File program, which allowed taxpayers to file their taxes for free, will not be available for the upcoming tax season. This decision has drawn criticism, particularly from state officials and taxpayers who benefited from the program. The Trump administration is being blamed for ending the experiment, which aimed to simplify the tax filing process. Various reports confirm that this move reflects increased lobbying pressure from the tax software industry. The cancellation of Direct File leaves 25 states without a free tax preparation option, potentially complicating tax season for many Americans.