IRS Direct File still accepting tax returns after Musk post
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The IRS Direct File program can be used on computers, tablets and smartphones. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project
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, a government technology group behind the IRS Direct File program.
- The IRS didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment but posted about filing with Direct File on social media Tuesday.
- The 18F website and LinkedIn page were still online Tuesday evening but its X account was deleted.
IRS Direct File open and available for 25 states
Zoom in: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged during his confirmation hearings that the Direct File program would remain available this year, but did not commit beyond that.
- The Treasury Department estimates that more than 30 million taxpayers will be eligible to use the expanding Direct File program across the 25 states where it's available.
Direct File is available in the same 12 states it was available in 2024: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
- It'll also be available in 13 new states: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Where's My Refund and IRS refund schedule
The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. Taxpayers can use the Where's My Refund? tool to check the status of their 2024 income tax refund within 24 hours of e-filing.
- For paper returns, plan to wait about four weeks for an update on your refund.
- The IRS said it will offer voicebot services to all taxpayers who call the agency for refund information.
Yes, but: The IRS said in a Facebook post Tuesday that the law prevents the IRS from releasing your refund before mid-February if you filed certain tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
- "Some filers may receive their refund as early as March 3," the IRS said in its post.
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