“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.”