The IRS has discontinued its free online filing system, Direct File, after it was used by 300,000 taxpayers in 25 states. The Trump administration and Treasury Department cited low participation and high costs. Tax preparation companies pushed back against the program, leaving taxpayers without a simple, free filing option.

Direct File saved users $160 in filing fees and could have saved taxpayers $11 billion annually. The program aimed to pre-populate tax forms for easier filing. Despite positive user feedback, it wasn’t widely promoted and faced cuts and upheaval. Taxpayers should be prepared for a more complex filing process.

Consumers affected by Trump’s tax law changes should budget more time for filing. Look for free nonprofit tax prep services but beware of hidden fees. Taxpayers are left without a convenient filing tool, as Direct File is phased out. Watch out for misleading claims of free services when filing taxes.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: The IRS’s free direct online tax filing tool is being eliminated. Here’s what you need to know.