IRS Direct File #9 in Tax Software
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Score over time
Shaded band = 95% bootstrap confidence interval. Orange markers = methodology events (model releases, panel versions). How this works
By model
Perplexity
Gemini + web search
ChatGPT + web search
Gemini (Google)
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Claude (Anthropic)
By question type
Where IRS Direct File shows up, by the intent behind the question. Every tax software panel asks the same balanced mix — 10 prompts per type — so these rates are directly comparable. A gap here (strong on recommendations, invisible on comparisons) is where AI visibility is being won or lost.
| Question type | Mentioned | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendations “What's the best option for me?” | 10% | |
| Comparisons “How do the top options stack up?” | 1% | |
| Ready to buy “Which one should I actually get?” | 8% | |
| Problem-solving “I have this problem — what fixes it?” | 19% | |
| Informational “How does this kind of product work?” | 5% |
What the AIs say
Real answers from the latest measurement in which IRS Direct File appeared — the receipts behind the score.
Claude (Anthropic) · recommended · listed #1
"Any recommendations for a no-cost tax filing option this year?"
# Free Tax Filing Options Here are some solid no-cost options to consider: **IRS Direct File** - Free government-run tool, now available in more states than its pilot year - Handles fairly common tax situations (W-2 income, standard deduction, some credits like EITC and C…
Gemini (Google) · listed #1
"How does free tax filing work in New York State specifically?"
…Here is a detailed breakdown of how free tax filing works in New York State, including the newest options. --- ### 1. The Newest Option: Direct File (NYS & IRS Partnership) New York is one of the pioneering states in the federal/state **Direct File** program. This is a free, public service run directly by the government (IRS a…
Gemini + web search · listed #1
"Is filing directly with the IRS different from using a free tax software service?"
…s important to first clarify what "filing directly with the IRS" looks like, as the options changed in **late 2025 when the government-run "IRS Direct File" pilot program was discontinued**. The main differences between the direct IRS methods and the private "free software" options involve **guided support, income limits, and state…
ChatGPT (OpenAI) · recommended · listed #1
"Should I use IRS Free File or IRS Direct File this year, and how do they compare?"
Short answer: It depends on your tax situation. If you have a very simple federal return and want a no‑frills, ad‑free experience, IRS Direct File (if available to you this year) is often the easiest. If you qualify for a Free File partner product and need slightly more features (state return, more forms, guidance, or import…
ChatGPT + web search · listed #2
"What's the difference between using IRS Free File and IRS Direct File?"
…r: IRS Free File is a network of private tax-software companies that offer (or link to) free federal e‑file services to eligible taxpayers; IRS Direct File was (and briefly was) a free, government-run online filing system operated by the IRS. They differ in who runs them, who’s eligible, what tax situations they support, how your dat…
Perplexity · listed #1
"What's the difference between filing taxes for free through a software company versus directly with the IRS?"
…filing** usually means you’re using a private tax-prep product, while **filing directly with the IRS** means using an IRS-run option like **Direct File** or **Free File Fillable Forms**. The IRS’s **Free File** program is actually a public-private partnership: you start on IRS.gov, then use partner software, and only some taxpaye…
Where the AIs get it from
Domains cited by search-backed answers that mentioned IRS Direct File (61 answers, 2026-08-01). Your own domain is highlighted — presence in the others is the GEO opportunity.
| Cited domain | Answers citing it |
|---|---|
| irs.gov own domain | 32 |
| vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com | 29 |
| reddit.com | 18 |
| cnet.com | 14 |
| apps.irs.gov own domain | 14 |
| nerdwallet.com | 13 |
| oreateai.com | 12 |
| taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov own domain | 12 |
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Head-to-head: IRS Direct File vs TurboTax · IRS Direct File vs H&R Block · IRS Direct File vs IRS Free File — or the full Tax Software leaderboard.
Data from run #78. Methodology