Elon Musk creates confusion about the direct file of IRS – but the free tax program is still available

WASHINGTON (AP) – Billionaire Tech Mogul Elon Musk placed on his social media site on Monday that he had “removed” 18F, a government agency that worked on technological projects such as the Direct File program of IRS. This led to some confusion about whether the direct file is still available for taxpayers, but the free archiving program is still available, at least for the coming tax season.

Although the Tweet van Musk may have indicated that the group of employees had been eliminated, a person with knowledge of the IRS staff file said that the direct file program still accepted tax returns. The person spoke anonymously with the associated press because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

From Monday evening the 18F website was still operational, just like the Direct File website. But the X account of the Digital Services Agency has been removed.

The IRS has announced Last year it will make it for free Electronic tax return system Permanent and asked all 50 states and the district of Columbia to help taxpayers to submit their returns in 2025 through the program.

The direct file test began in March 2024. But the IRS has an intensive recoil to send the file of private tax preparation companies that have made billions to request people to use their software and have spent millions lobbying at the congress. The average American usually spends around $ 140 to prepare their returns every year.

Commercial tax preparation companies that have lobby the development of the free file program say that there are already free file options.

Various organizations, including private tax companies, offer free online tax preparation aid to taxpayers under certain income limits. Vulable forms are available online on the IRS website, but they are complicated and taxpayers still have to calculate their tax obligation.

Last May the IRS announced that it would make the direct file program permanent. It is now available in 25 states, of 12 states that were part of last year’s pilot program.

With the program, people in some states with very simple W-2s can calculate and submit their returns directly to the IRS. Those who used the pilot program in 2024 claimed more than $ 90 million in restitutions, the IRS said in October.

During his confirmation hearing on January 16, Scott Bettingnow financially secretary, dedicated to maintaining the direct file program at least for the tax season 2025, that started on January 27.

Musk responded to a message from an X user who called 18F ‘far left’ and that Direct File Memed ‘, the government says the leaders’ for preparing the taxes of people.

“That group has been removed,” wrote Musk.