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Direct File’s future uncertain as IRS faces deep workforce cuts
But despite the positive reviews, Direct File’s future remains uncertain. The IRS is preparing for major workforce cuts now that the tax filing season is over. Those cuts, according to an internal memo obtained by Federal News Network, will also impact the team running Direct File. Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters last year that launching Direct File cost nearly $32 million. Sign up for our daily newsletter so you never miss a beat on all things federalMia Francis, a 22-year-old barista in Arlington, Massachusetts, used Direct File to complete her taxes for the first time and said it took her less than 45 minutes. Francis told Federal News Network that she hopes the IRS continues to offer Direct File.If we just designed them the way that we designed Direct File, and we built out these programs in ways that actually work with the American people and use plain language, we could totally revitalize people’s faith in government,” Paris said. The IRS, according to an internal memo first reported by Federal News Network, is planning to cut up to 40% of its workforce later this month.Paris said IRS employees went to great lengths to launch Direct File — and spent many nights and weekends to make the project a reality. “These are young people who could have been making hundreds of thousands of dollars more in the private sector, and they wanted to be there. They wanted to deliver good services, and now this administration has driven them away,” Paris said. ... Jory Heckman is a reporter at Federal News Network covering the Postal Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, big data and technology issues.
