Musk stirs up confusion about the status of IRS Direct File program – Washington Examiner
elon Musk recently caused confusion regarding the IRS’s Direct File program when he posted on social media that a group related to the program had been “deleted.” In his post, Musk indicated he was referring to 18F, a federal agency involved in the program’s creation, rather than Direct File itself, which is still operational. A Community Note added to musk’s post clarified that Direct file is a free service allowing users to e-file their tax returns directly with the IRS and does not mean the government prepares taxes on behalf of individuals.
Originally launched as a pilot in 12 states during the 2024 tax season,Direct file has as expanded to 25 states and is set to continue through at least the 2025 tax season,according to Treasury Secretary scott Bessent. However, the program has faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers, who argue it represents government overreach and have urged President Trump to take action against it.
Musk stirs up confusion about the status of IRS Direct File program
Elon Musk stirred up confusion over the status of the IRS’s Direct File program when he reposted a description of it and said he “deleted” it.
“That group has been deleted,” Musk posted on X.
However, Musk, who was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, was not talking about Direct File but instead 18F, the federal agency tasked with creating the program.
A Community Note was added to Musk’s post, clarifying that Direct File was still operating.
“IRS’s Direct File service is a free service that allows people to prepare and e-file their tax returns,” the community note said. “Contrary to the post’s claim, the service does not put ‘the government in charge of preparing people’s tax returns for them.’”
Direct File, which allows taxpayers to file their tax returns directly with the federal government, was launched as a pilot program in 12 states during the 2024 tax season. It has since been made permanent and has expanded to 25 states.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during his Jan. 16 confirmation hearing that he was committed to maintaining Direct File through at least the 2025 tax season.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have said the program is “government overreach” and have called on President Donald Trump to end it.
“We write to urge you to take immediate action, including but not limited to a day-one executive order, to end the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) unauthorized and wasteful Direct File pilot program,” said a letter sent to Trump. “The program’s creation and ongoing expansion pose a threat to taxpayers’ freedom from government overreach, and its rollout and structural flaws have already come at a steep price.”
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