Activists, programmers fight to keep IRS’s free Direct File system alive

Last updated Jul 18, 2025

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Future of Direct File – A Free IRS Tax Filing Tool

The Future of Direct File Amidst Shutdown by Trump Administration

In an unexpected turn of events, the Trump administration has put an end to the IRS’s innovative experiment – the Direct File. Despite its termination, those behind the project are not ready to let it slip into oblivion.

Advocacy for Public Filing Option

Despite the huge tax, and spending law signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 that included funds to examine a replacement for the IRS-built website, the concept of keeping the public filing option alive has rallied a diverse group of activists and computer programmers. This group is comprised of ex-IRS employees, nonprofit advocates, and even an 18-year-old dishwasher from Arizona with aspirations of developing his own tax filing website.

Direct File’s Success and Future Prospects

Pioneered by IRS and White House programmers during President Joe Biden’s administration, Direct File was highly praised by its users for its user-friendly interface. Although its availability was limited to individuals with fairly simple tax returns, it managed to garner positive reviews and substantial recommendations, giving hope to the architects of the project about a potential revival in the future.

Economic Security Project’s Role in Direct File’s Revival

Recognizing the taxpayers’ desire for a free and simplified tax filing solution, the Economic Security Project, a non-profit organization, has taken up the task of preparing and bettering the Direct File for future usage. The team includes Gabriel Zucker, who has previously worked with Direct File at the nonprofit Code for America, and other top ex-government employees who originally created the Direct File. They are currently working on the software’s documentation and formulating strategies to expand and improve it.

Public Code and Its Potential Usage

In compliance with the law requiring specific government code to be publicly accessible, the team behind Direct File posted the website’s code online. While there is interest in using the code for non-government entities, including start-ups and nonprofit organizations, Chris Given, one of the fellows at the Economic Security Project, advises caution when using the code independently of the government due to the loss of specific advantages.

Future of Direct File – A Young Coder’s Perspective

Despite the challenges involved in working with the government-specific code, 18-year-old Elijah Wright is eager to use the released code as the foundation for a functional Direct File website. A strong advocate of public projects, Wright is determined to revive the dormant code and make the tax filing process easier and more secure for users.

Political Opposition to Direct File

Direct File has been a subject of criticism since its inception by Republican lawmakers, who argue that the federal government should not create a product that competes with financial service firms and tax-preparation companies.

The Future of Direct File – A Legal Perspective

Amidst political unrest and disruption, the recently passed law mandates a $15-million study to explore ways to replace Direct File. The study will involve an evaluation of public-private partnerships for offering free filing to a majority of taxpayers, as well as assessments of opinions regarding a taxpayer-funded, government-run service. Critics, however, argue that the language of the bill seems to favor private tax software rather than a government-built solution.

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