Tue Feb 04 03:50:28 UTC 2025: ## Musk’s Tweet Causes Confusion Over IRS Tax Filing Program

**Washington, D.C. – February 4, 2025** – A tweet by Elon Musk claiming to have “deleted” the government agency 18F, responsible for the IRS’s Direct File tax program, has caused confusion among taxpayers. While Musk’s statement sparked concerns about the program’s future, the IRS and an anonymous source confirmed that Direct File remains operational for the 2025 tax season.

Although 18F’s X account has been deleted, both the agency’s website and the Direct File website are currently functioning. The IRS announced last year that Direct File, a free electronic tax filing system, would become permanent, expanding to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, it’s available in 25 states.

The program’s expansion has faced opposition from private tax preparation companies, who have lobbied against it and claimed that alternative free filing options already exist, though these are typically limited to taxpayers meeting certain income requirements or possessing uncomplicated tax situations. These companies, which profit from paid tax preparation software, spend millions annually lobbying against the free program. The average American spends around $140 annually on tax preparation.

Despite the controversy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed the program’s continuation for the 2025 tax season during his confirmation hearing in January. The Direct File pilot program, launched in March 2024, saw users claim over $90 million in refunds. Musk’s tweet responded to a post criticizing 18F and the program itself.

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