The IRS Direct File program, which allows eligible taxpayers in 25 states to file their taxes for free on the IRS’s website, remains operational despite recent speculation about the status of 18F, the government tech division that helped create the service. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, claimed earlier this week that 18F had been “deleted.” Musk made this assertion in response to a follower’s post on X, prompting inquiries about the division’s future. As of now, the General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees 18F under its Technology Transformation Services, has not commented on whether the division has been shut down.
However, it is unclear if the potential dissolution of 18F would directly impact the IRS Direct File program. During his recent confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured that the Direct File service would remain available for the current tax season.
IRS Direct File service secure
The IRS, as well as the ranking members of the House and Senate committees overseeing the GSA, have not provided comments on the matter. Nevertheless, there is confidence that the program will continue to function smoothly. The Direct File service has successfully expanded from the 12 states where it was piloted last year to now include 25 states.
It remains a critical tool for taxpayers with uncomplicated returns to file for free. No official statements have indicated any disruption to the Direct File program, which underscores the ongoing efforts to transform and digitize federal services for the benefit of citizens. As this story develops, the focus remains on ensuring that essential programs like IRS Direct File continue to operate effectively, regardless of potential changes within the government agencies involved in their creation and maintenance.