Direct File Archives

From left, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Angus King, I-Maine, speak to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 26, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

GAO tells senators it will investigate IRS’s Free File program

The watchdog said in a letter to Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Angus King and Ron Wyden that it will honor their request to probe Free File following the…

Jun 1, 2026 By Matt Bracken

Advocates gather in Washington, D.C., to call out tax prep companies like Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block for blocking simplified filing and to support IRS exploration of alternative free tax filing on April 17, 2023. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project)

Senators seek GAO probe of IRS’s Free File program

The Trump administration has touted the tax agency’s oft-criticized Free File partnership with tax companies after it eliminated Direct File following heavy industry lobbying.

May 18, 2026 By Matt Bracken

A view of an IRS Direct File promotional sign at the Internal Revenue Service Building on April 5, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project)

IRS overestimated Direct File costs last year by $45 million

A Treasury watchdog report found that the tax agency projected $61.2 million in costs for the free electronic filing tool in fiscal 2025 but spent just $16.2…

Mar 24, 2026 By Matt Bracken

People use IRS Direct File at the Internal Revenue Service Building on April 05, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project)

Bill backed by 160 Democrats seeks rebirth of IRS’s Direct File

The legislation would make the free electronic filling tool a permanent program and bar the Treasury secretary from sabotaging it through other agreements.

Feb 26, 2026 By Matt Bracken

A sign marks the location of the Office of Personnel Management headquarters building on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)

How to make Tech Force work

A former DHS AI Corps member and federal IT pro lays out a blueprint for how OPM’s new tech recruiting initiative can succeed.

Feb 20, 2026 By Abigail Haddad

IRS seeks public feedback on tax return options after dismantling Direct File

The anonymous survey emphasizes the high “initial cost to the federal government” of an IRS-run tool vs. programs “paid and operated directly by a tax preparation company.”

Aug 25, 2025 By Matt Bracken

Design without privacy is just a cover-up: USDS co-founder’s take on Trump’s EO

A former government technologist lays out a blueprint for how the White House’s federal web design order could actually work.

Aug 22, 2025 By Erie Meyer

(Illustration by Shanima Parker / Scoop News Group)

Direct File died under Trump. Meet the creators planning for its second life

After building the IRS’s free electronic filing tool, the Economic Security Project’s Future of Tax Filing fellows are writing a playbook for it to “come back someday”…

Aug 18, 2025 By Matt Bracken

A person promotes the Direct File pilot program at the Internal Revenue Service building on April 5, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project)

Trump administration set to end IRS’s Direct File program, per source

The free electronic filing program has been targeted by Senate and House GOP lawmakers and the tax preparation industry since its 2024 launch.

Apr 16, 2025 By Matt Bracken Sophia Fox-Sowell

Erin M. Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate for the Taxpayer Advocate Service, attends a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Oct. 7, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/Getty Images)

National Taxpayer Advocate calls on Congress to boost IRS modernization funds

Ahead of GOP takeover and calls for cuts to the tax agency, Erin M. Collins asks lawmakers to reallocate enforcement funds to tech system upgrades.

Jan 9, 2025 By Matt Bracken