Though some social media users interpreted Elon Musk's X post as meaning the service was closed, its website remained active as of Feb. 7.

Eligible Americans can now file their taxes using IRS Direct File, which allows taxpayers in 25 states, including New York, to file their federal taxes directly with the IRS for free.

In early February 2025, claims emerged that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, had terminated, or planned to terminate, a program — Direct File — run by the IRS that allows (some) citizens to file individual tax returns for free:

IRS Free File program at IRS.gov offers free tax software to those with adjusted gross incomes of $84,000 or less. Other free programs exist, too.

Elon Musk, head of the chaos-causing Department of Government Efficiency, made an assertion this week that raised questions in some people’s minds about the status of the IRS Direct File program. That program enables tax filers in 25 states,

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk posted on his social media site that he has “deleted” 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as the IRS's Direct File program

This should be a banner year for taxpayers seeking free tax-preparation. But one key IRS program is under fire.

The Tesla CEO caused a stir after claiming the program, which allows Americans to file their taxes straight to the IRS, had been "deleted."

Elon Musk posted that the IRS Direct File group had been "deleted," prompting confusion about the free tax prep service's future.

Tax season can be stressful from gathering all the required documents to finding a trusted place to file. Here are some options for filing for free.

The Internal Revenue Service is accepting tax returns for tax season 2025, including through the expanded Direct File program. Why it matters: There's been some confusion on the status of the free online tax-filing program after Elon Musk posted on X Monday that he had "deleted" 18F,