WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and over 130 colleagues, has urged the Biden administration to make the Direct File program permanent and expand its scope. This appeal follows the successful pilot of the program during the 2024 tax season.
The letter, addressed to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel, commended the launch of Direct File, which allowed taxpayers in 12 pilot states to file their returns for free directly with the IRS.
“We write to commend you on the historic and resoundingly successful launch of Direct File, the first free, public, electronic federal tax filing tool in U.S. history,” stated the lawmakers. “Taxpayers want and deserve a free and easy filing option, and thanks to this year’s pilot, taxpayers used Direct File to claim over $90 million in tax refunds and save $5.6 million in estimated filing fees.”
Announced by the Biden administration in May 2023, the Direct File pilot saw participation from over 140,000 taxpayers across 12 states during this past tax season. The initiative resulted in more than $90 million saved in refunds and an estimated $5.6 million saved in tax preparation fees on federal returns alone. A survey of 11,000 users revealed that 90 percent rated their experience as “Excellent” or “Above Average,” with similar ratings for customer service.
“The IRS’s delivery of this new, wildly successful filing tool… demonstrates the huge returns from investing in the IRS and in government technology in general,” continued the lawmakers. They expressed hope that Direct File would support additional income sources, integrate with more states, offer flexible identity verification procedures, accommodate additional tax benefits—especially refundable credits for low- and middle-income families—and streamline filing using existing taxpayer data.
The letter concluded with a call for collaboration: “We congratulate you on the success of the Direct File pilot and stand ready to work with you on making the program permanent and expanding it. We believe that the IRS can offer free and easy tax filing to every American taxpayer who wants it —and that, with Direct File, it will.”
In addition to Senators Hirono, Warren, Carper; Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Casey (D-PA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA); Mark Kelly (R-AZ); Angus King(I-ME); Amy Klobuchar(D-MN); Ed Markey(D-MA); Jeff Merkley(D-OR); Patty Murray(D-WA); Alex Padilla(D-CA); Jack Reed(D-RI); Bernard Sanders(I-VT); Brian Schatz(D-HI); Charles Schumer(D-NY); Jeanne Shaheen(D-NH); Tina Smith(D-MN); Debbie Stabenow(D-MI) ;Chris Van Hollen(D-Md) ;Peter Welch(VT-D) Sheldon Whitehouse(RI-D) Ron Wyden(OR-D). In addition Representatives Beyer , Porter , Sherman were joined by over ninety representatives.
Earlier this week , more than two hundred fifty groups sent a letter urging Commissioner Werfel Secretary Yellen also encouraging them make direct file permanent expand it.
The full text of letter is available here.
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