
Elon Musk Sparks Confusion Over IRS' Free Tax Filing Program
So, let’s talk about some recent buzz around the IRS’ Direct File program. If you’ve been following the news, you might’ve seen Elon Musk’s latest social media post claiming he had “deleted” 18F—a government agency involved in tech projects, including Direct File. This left a lot of people wondering: Is the free tax filing system gone? Should taxpayers be worried? Well, let’s clear the air.
The good news is that Direct File is still very much available . Despite Musk’s post, the IRS program is up and running, allowing taxpayers in select states to file their returns for free. The confusion started when Musk’s tweet made it seem like the agency responsible for helping develop Direct File had been shut down. However, multiple sources confirm that the program is still accepting tax returns, and the IRS intends to keep it going for the 2025 tax season .
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To give you a bit of background, Direct File was launched as a pilot program in 2024 to help Americans file their taxes without paying private companies. The trial run included 12 states, and it proved to be quite effective—taxpayers claimed more than $90 million in refunds. Following its success, the IRS decided to expand it to 25 states this year, making it even more accessible. The goal? To provide a free, government-backed alternative to expensive tax prep services, which, on average, cost Americans around $140 per year.
Of course, not everyone is happy about Direct File. Private tax preparation companies have long profited from paid filing services, and they’ve lobbied hard against the government stepping into the space. These companies argue that free filing options already exist, but critics point out that many so-called "free" services come with hidden fees or restrictions that push taxpayers toward paid options.
Despite pushback from corporate lobbyists, the IRS is moving forward. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently reaffirmed his commitment to keeping Direct File at least through the 2025 tax season, which officially kicked off on January 27. So, while Musk’s post may have caused some unnecessary panic, the reality is that Direct File is here to stay—at least for now .
For taxpayers, this means more options and potentially big savings when filing returns this year. If you're eligible, it’s definitely worth checking out!
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