No, Elon Musk Didn't End Free Direct File Tax Filing Program

IRS Direct File remains despite Musk’s claim
T he IRS Direct File program, which allows eligible taxpayers in 25 states to file their taxes for free on the IRS’s website, remains operational despite recent speculation abou
Taxpayers can still use Direct File for free online filing as of Feb. 7 | Fact check
Though some social media users interpreted Elon Musk's X post as meaning the service was closed, its website remained active as of Feb. 7.
Musk Says Group That Built IRS Direct File Was ‘Deleted,’ but Program Is Still Available
The IRS’ free tax-preparation program remains a free option for taxpayers this year, but the fate of a group of government technologists that helped develop it is less certain.
No, Musk did not eliminate the 18F website or Direct File this tax season
In recent days, a tweet from Elon Musk on X (formerly known as Twitter) stirred up quite a bit of confusion. Musk claimed to have “eliminated” 18F, the government agency responsible for technological projects like the IRS's Direct File program.
Elon Musk 'deleted' IRS Direct File: Should taxpayers worry about their tax returns?
Elon Musk posted that the IRS Direct File group had been "deleted," prompting confusion about the free tax prep service's future.
Taxes 2025: IRS Direct File still accepting tax returns, the latest on tax refunds
The Internal Revenue Service is accepting tax returns for tax season 2025, including through the expanded Direct File program. Why it matters: There's been some confusion on the status of the free online tax-filing program after Elon Musk posted on X Monday that he had "deleted" 18F,
Musk boasts he shut down free online tax program but it's still available
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk posted on X that he had eliminated 18F, a government group that developed the ‘Direct File’ IRS program so Americans could file their taxes for free
Has Elon Musk Shut Down a Free Online Tax Tool?
Musk said that 18F agency that supports free Direct File tax filing for Americans has been deleted – but it's still accepting returns.
Trump, at least for now, has not terminated Direct File, the free IRS tax filing system
In early February 2025, claims emerged that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, had terminated, or planned to terminate, a program — Direct File — run by the IRS that allows (some) citizens to file individual tax returns for free:
Elon Musk creates confusion about IRS Direct File, but the program is still available
Elon Musk posted Monday on his social media site that he had “deleted” 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as the IRS’ Direct File program.
No, Elon Musk Didn't End the Free Direct File Tax Filing Program, for Now
There was widespread confusion after the Tesla CEO claimed the program, which allows Americans to file their taxes straight to the IRS, had been "deleted."
Did DOGE really ‘delete’ the tech division that helped create the IRS Direct File free tax filing service?
Elon Musk, head of the chaos-causing Department of Government Efficiency, made an assertion this week that raised questions ...
IRS Tax Filing Could Be Upended For Millions of Americans: What To Know
The Direct File program was launched to benefit over 30 million taxpayers and prompted a backlash from commercial tax prep ...