In early February 2025, claims emerged that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, had terminated, or planned to terminate, a program — Direct File — run by the IRS that allows (some) citizens to file individual tax returns for free:

Tax season can be stressful from gathering all the required documents to finding a trusted place to file. Here are some options for filing for free.

And the potential loss of expertise in information technology and cybersecurity could put both agency efficiency and taxpayer information at risk.

Direct File allows some taxpayers to file their returns online directly with the IRS for no cost and is available to about half the country.

Elon Musk posted that the IRS Direct File group had been "deleted," prompting confusion about the free tax prep service's future.

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk posted on his social media site that he has “deleted” 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as the IRS's Direct File program

Direct File, a system that allows people in some states to file directly with the IRS for free, is in fact still available, despite Musk posting cryptic messages on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The IRS Direct File program is revolutionizing tax filing for millions of Americans by offering a no-cost, streamlined process for uncomplicated returns. Despite its benefits, the program faces opposition from private tax-preparation companies and political figures.