Elon Musk is chaotic about the direct files of IRS, but the free tax plan is still available

Washington (Associated Press) -Elon Musk, a billionaire technology tycoon, published on his social media website on Monday. He “deleted” 18F. This is a government agency, which is a direct file plan for IRS Technical project. This causes the confusion of direct documents that taxpayers can still use, but at least in the upcoming tax season, free filing plans can be used.

Although Musk’s tweets may have hinted that a group of workers have been eliminated, people who have said to IRS labor knowledge that the direct file plan is still accepting the tax declaration form. Individuals speak anonymously at the Associated Press because they have no right to talk to the media.

As of Monday night, the 18F websites and direct file websites are the same. But the X account of the Digital Service has been deleted.

The IRS announced last year that the free electronic tax declaration system was permanently requested, and all 50 states and Columbia SARs helped taxpayers submit the declaration form through the plan in 2025.

Direct file trial began in March 2024. However, the IRS (IRS) faces a fierce counterattack and directly guide files from the private tax preparation company. These companies charge people’s fees from billions of people to use their software and spend millions of lobby Congress. Essence The average American usually spends about $ 140 to prepare for the income.

The commercial tax company of lobbying Freedom File Program said the free file options already exist.

Several organizations, including private tax companies, provide taxpayers with free online tax preparation assistance to taxpayers at certain income limit. You can fill in the form to get online on the IRS website, but they are complicated, and the taxpayer must still calculate its tax liability.

In May last year, the U.S. Taxation Administration announced that it would make direct file programs permanent. It can now be provided in 25 states, which is 12 states from part of the pilot plan last year.

The plan allows people in some states to calculate very simple W-2S and submit their income directly to IRS. The IRS said in October that those who used the pilot plan in 2024 claimed to refund more than $ 90 million.

At the confirmation of the hearing on January 16, Scott Bessent, who is currently the Minister of Finance, promised to maintain a direct document plan for the 2025 tax season maintenance at least on January 27.

Musk is responding to the post of X user. The X user claims that 18F is “the far left” and contemplated the direct file “to make the government responsible” to prepare people’s taxes.

Musk wrote: “The group has been deleted.”