Taxpayers can still use Direct File for free online filing as of Feb. 7 | Fact check
The claim: 'Direct File' tax program no longer available as of Feb. 3
A Feb. 3 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) claims an IRS service that helped taxpayers file their taxes for free online is no longer available.
“Thanks to DOGE, millions of Americans have just lost their ability to file taxes online for free,” reads the text on the image, which is a screenshot of a post on X. “Now they must use third party paid services like Turbo Tax. This is 0% about inefficiency and 100% about ripping you off.”
The X post was made in response to a post by Elon Musk saying a governmental group called 18F “has been deleted.” The original X post, which Musk was responding to, said 18F built the "Direct File" service that “puts the government in charge of preparing peoples (sic) tax returns for them.”
The Instagram post was liked more than 800 times in three days, and the X version of the claim was reposted more than 20,000 times. Other versions of the claim spread on Facebook.
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Our rating: False
Direct File was still available to taxpayers around the country as of Feb. 7.
Numerous free online tax preparation services available in 2025
The IRS said it expects more than 140 million individual tax returns to be filed throughout the 2025 tax season, which started on Jan. 27.
The agency launched a pilot program called Direct File, which allows people to file their taxes for free online directly with the IRS, during the 2024 tax season. The service was originally available in a dozen states, including California and Texas.
The service grew in 2025 to cover 13 additional states and handle more complex tax filings, according to the IRS.
But contrary to the social media posts, the Direct File website was still active as of Feb. 7. The website said the service was available to eligible taxpayers in 25 states.
Fact check roundup: Tax season is confusing enough. Don’t fall for these false claims
The X post was also incorrect in portraying Direct File as the only free online tax preparation service.
The long-standing IRS Free File, which offers free federal tax filings through an IRS partnership with private tax preparation companies, was also available as of Feb. 7. Eligible taxpayers could also file taxes for free using the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide and services from H&R Block and TurboTax, Paste BN reported.
18F is a government entity that “help(s) other government agencies build, buy and share technology products,” according to its website, which was still operational as of Feb. 7. IRS Direct File is one of the projects it worked on, the Associated Press reported.
The group's X account was not accessible as of Feb. 6.
Paste BN previously debunked a claim that President Donald Trump said individuals who receive child support cannot claim the child on their taxes.
Paste BN reached out to the IRS, 18F and the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive responses.
Our fact-check sources
- IRS, Feb. 6, IRS Free File: Do your taxes for free
- IRS, accessed Feb. 5, Direct File
- Paste BN, Feb. 5, Elon Musk says he ‘deleted’ IRS Direct File. Can taxpayers still use the free service?
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