DOGE plans to eliminate IRS Direct File program amid cost concerns

Mia Francis, a 22-year-old barista from Boston, utilized the IRS Direct File program to file her taxes independently for the first time, completing the process in just 45 minutes and anticipating a $530 refund. The IRS Direct File, which has been made permanent and is available in 25 states, aims to simplify tax filing, but its future is uncertain due to scrutiny from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the program will continue for the current tax season, despite concerns from some Republican lawmakers and tax experts about its congressional authorization and cost-effectiveness compared to existing free filing options. The program was launched following funding from the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, and last season it processed over 140,000 returns. Advocates highlight the ease and efficiency of the program, while critics question its necessity in a landscape with more complicated free filing alternatives.