Direct File is Government Efficiency At Work, Says Groundwork’s Richards

Direct File is Government Efficiency At Work, Says Groundwork’s Richards

As the 2025 tax filing season wraps up, Americans across the country are eager for the IRS to expand Direct File, a free, easy-to-use tool that allows taxpayers to file their taxes directly with the IRS. New polling from Groundwork Action and Data for Progress demonstrates this enthusiasm by revealing an overwhelming majority of voters across parties support expanding Direct File to all Americans.

Groundwork Collaborative Senior Fellow Kitty Richards released the following statement applauding the tool’s success and raising the alarm on the Trump Administration’s repeated attacks on the IRS:

“Direct File is a crystal clear example of government efficiency at work. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant fees to predatory for-profit companies just to file their taxes. As cost-of-living remains top of mind for so many Americans, the government should invest in and expand tools like Direct File that put money back into the pockets of working families.

“Unfortunately, the president is waging a war against the IRS – and hamstringing vital taxpayer services like Direct File in the process – so his wealthy donors can cheat on their taxes. The only people who benefit from a weakened IRS are billionaires like Donald Trump and Elon Musk.”

Email press@groundworkcollaborative.org to speak with a Groundwork expert about Direct File.

BACKGROUND

• Direct File is a secure, simple, and always free tax filing option provided by the IRS to help reduce the cost and take out the headache of filing taxes. The tool was first introduced as a pilot in 12 states for the 2024 tax season. Since then, it’s grown to 25 states and 32 million eligible users.
• New polling from Groundwork Action and Data for Progress demonstrates overwhelming support for expanding the Direct File tool nationwide to all Americans. The poll reveals a staggering 82% of likely voters across all political affiliations support expanding this critical tool.
• Direct File is incredibly popular among taxpayers. Last year, 90% of surveyed users rated their experience as excellent or above average. Most users said they filed their taxes in less than an hour.
• Direct File is a guaranteed way to make the government more efficient and provide better customer service.
  • Before Direct File, Americans spent 1.7 billion hours or $31 billion annually to file their taxes, even though the overwhelming majority should be able to file in mere minutes and for free.
  • For every dollar invested in the program, Direct File saves American taxpayers $160. In 2024, the Treasury Department estimated that Direct File users saved $5.6 million in tax preparation fees.
• Unfortunately, this tax season has also been marked by instability. Attacks on the IRS and government agencies more broadly – including cuts to the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the team running Direct File – sabotaged the widely popular tool.
• Seven former IRS commissioners from both Democratic and Republican administrations condemned the Trump administration’s assault on the IRS, calling it a “huge mistake” as these workers took care of compliance, customer service, and modernization efforts.