Code for America Statement on the Cancellation of IRS Direct File Program

Canceling Direct File—a program that has made tax filing more efficient and effective—is a tremendous step backward for our country. 

Despite this troubling news, Code for America encourages eligible filers to use Direct File until the close of the current tax season on October 15.

Direct File made filing free and easy for taxpayers, and as a result, allowed more Americans to access critical tax benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. It was also popular—achieving higher user satisfaction rates than other filing methods—and had more returns accepted on the first attempt than any other self-prep software. In other words, Direct File was a resounding success.

Direct File is proof of what’s possible when we prioritize making government work well for everyone. Eliminating it means a return to the unnecessary barriers, endless frustration, and high costs many taxpayers associate with tax filing. And sadly, lower-income families will be disproportionately impacted by the cancellation of this free, easy tool. 

Looking ahead, we are committed to working with states to provide free, accessible, easy-to-use tax filing tools. This includes expanding our services at GetYourRefund.org by leveraging the lessons learned from GetCTC, Direct File, and our state companion tool, FileYourStateTaxes. 

While Direct File as we know it may be going away, the idea that tax filing can be free and easy is here to stay. Code for America remains encouraged by efforts to preserve the legacy of Direct File and ensure taxpayers have access to free filing options in the future. 

Code for America will continue to provide high-quality free tax prep, facilitate new approaches for removing barriers, and build the case for free federal and state filing to return even stronger in the future.