IRS -Thals archiving could be maintained for millions of Americans: what to know

Technical billionaire Elon Musk has caused confusion after he claimed that a government agency that worked with technology projects such as Internal Revenue Service’s direct file program has been “deleted”.

Why it matters

Musk, who has been appointed to a “special employee of the government”, was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the unofficial department of government efficiency (DOGE). According to its site, Doge is set up to “decentralize the narrative of government spending, giving power back to the people to keep government units responsible for their financial decisions.”

Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Musk has helped stop USAID operations with his team that has access to classified data, he has identified government workers for redundancies and taken control of the payment system administering trillion in expenses. As the tech mogul works without congressional monitoring, his actions have raised concern about his authority and a potential constitutional crisis.

The direct file program was launched in favor of over 30 million taxpayers and led to a setback from commercial tax preparation companies that lobbed against it. If it ended, taxpayers from eligible states could be forced to go private if they are above a particular income limit.

What to know

18F is a team of designers, software engineers, strategists and product leaders in General Services Administration. It works with public agencies to “solve technical problems, build products and improve public service through technology” and helped build the direct file program for the IRS.

Direct file was launched by 2024 to help Americans archive their tax returns for free. It has been expanded for the tax season 2025 to accept more states.

Writing on its social media page X, former Twitter, Said Musk “This group has been deleted” In response to another user’s post, which without evidence that 18F is a “long left” organization. They also said that direct file “puts the government in responsibility” to prepare people’s taxes.

Site Direct File is still live, like the site for 18F – but it’s X account is no longer active. Newsweek Has contacted General Services Administration via E email for comment outside of regular working hours.

It is not clear whether Musk’s submissions mean that the group of workers has been dismissed or whether he may be referring to the deletion of its X account.

What is direct file?

The IRS launched its direct file pilot in 12 US states in March 2024, which has now been expanded to 25 states. It allows taxpayers to submit simple tax returns directly with the government agency for free, eliminating the need to use a paid for third -party provider.

You can use direct file for your federal taxes if you lived and worked in these states throughout 2024:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington State
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Is direct file still available?

An anonymous source familiar with the IRS working power said Associated Press that the direct file program continues to accept tax returns. Newsweek Has contacted IRS for confirmation via E email outside of regular working hours.

During his confirmation hearing of January 16, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Direct File would be in place in the tax season 2025.