Trump administration plans to end the IRS Direct File program for free tax filing, AP sources say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Associated Press, via WTOP

Trump administration plans to end the IRS Direct File program for free tax filing, AP sources say

The Associated Press
April 16, 2025, 1:57 PM


FILE - This March 22, 2013, file photo shows the exterior of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)(AP/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Trump administration plans to eliminate the IRS' Direct File program, an electronic system for filing tax returns directly to the agency for free, according to two people familiar with the decision.

The program developed during Joe Biden's presidency was credited by users with making tax filing easy, fast and economical. But Republican lawmakers and commercial tax preparation companies complained it was a waste of taxpayer money because free filing programs already exist, although they are hard to use.

The program had been in limbo since the start of the Trump administration as Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have slashed their way through the federal government. Musk posted in February on his social media site, X, that he had "deleted" 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as Direct File.

There was some hope that Musk, with his DOGE team of savvy computer programmers, could take over Direct File and improve it. But the two people familiar with the decision to end Direct File said its future became clear when the IRS staff assigned to the program were told in mid-March to stop working on its development for the 2026 tax filing season.

{snip}

Read more: https://wtop.com/national/2025/04/trump-administration-plans-to-end-the-irs-direct-file-program-for-free-tax-filing-ap-sources-say/

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Well, of course they do.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. When PA had finally made the list for being able to use it last year

I was going to file that way. But then the election happened and Muskrat set the self-destruct sequence on it, so I gave up even bothering for fear of a return being forever trapped in a soon-to-be-dead system.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Of course, because it helps the people.

[Silent Type]

3. One issue with Direct File is that is available in only 25 states. That's not sufficient reason to cut off further

development. But it is a relatively new, incomplete program.

[Kali999]

4. I was going to use it.

But they wanted a picture. Screw that right now

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

5. Typical GOP privatization.

Take a service that folks get without charge and let some rich oligarchs charge for the "privilege." Never give a sucker an even break, said Ronald Reagan I think. Or was it Milton Friedman?

Perhaps someday we'll have to pay in TrumpCoin crypto, so someone can make money when we purchase the "currency," someone makes money processing the transaction, and someone makes money when the payment is converted back to dollars. Such a deal!

[slightlv]

8. Oooh... you saying that brought to my immediate thoughts

of things the Antichrist will be doing, so says Revelation. To buy, sell, or do anything, one must carry the mark of the beast. We've always been literal about it... like a brand or tattoo... but what it's actually "to carry"... as in must be paid in trump crypto. trump fits so many verses and warnings of Revelation, it's amazing to me the evangelicals have fallen for his crap. They're suppose to be so bible literate! I'm no longer christian, but I was indoctrinated in this kind of thing throughout my childhood. Several baptist and other evangelical and charismatic preachers in my family. When even someone as removed from the faith as I am can see what's going on with their writings, something is definitely wrong. The wolf has stolen in amongst the sheep, and the sheep are busy seducing him.

[Girard442]

11. When I was growing up in the Bible Belt, I often puzzled over how supposedly smart people could believe that stuff.

It wasn't until the Age of TSF that the scales fell from my eyes, so to speak.

They don't.

They swing their "closely held beliefs" at other people like a club, but if they really believed those things they'd be acting way different than they actually do.

[SarcasticSatyr]

6. I attempted to use it in my state . . .

but it would not work for me because I had no W-2's only 1099's . . . I could have used it but not for free.

[mdbl]

7. All the tax services will be happy.

[surfered]

9. That's just dumb. A friend used it, had a technical issue, called the IRS, got a real person and filed their taxes.

He was pleased, saying he only had Social Security and Pension, so it was not too complicated.

It’s dumb because our tax system is based on voluntary compliance and making it easier for taxpayers is win win.

[RobinA]

12. I Used It Last

Year and had no problem.

[RobinA]

10. Looking Out For

the little people as usual. It is difficult to find a free way to file. Many pretend to be free but at the end they aren't. I'm doing it hard copy next year. The IRS should have had a free filing program 15 years ago.

[Joinfortmill]

13. Waiting for his karma.

[Imalittleteapot]

14. I have direct filed 1040 for 3 Years

The first 2 times I used Direct File it was great, but last year they streamlined the process so that the 2024 filing was a breeze, so much easier than before. I filed the first week in April and have already received my refund!
We are retired and take the standard deduction because we do not have any exemptions, no interest or major medical bills. There is no reason to pay an accountant or service for a simple filing.
Eliminating easy Direct File is disappointing and disturbing. Big money and lobbyists win again.

[Rebl2]

15. Big surprise