cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25117460

Summary

Elon Musk claimed on X that he eliminated the IRS team responsible for the “Direct File” program, which allows Americans to file taxes online for free.

His statement came in response to a right-wing influencer criticizing the program as government overreach.

However, the Treasury Department confirms that the Direct File system remains active, offering free tax filing with customer support.

The program, available in English and Spanish, is optional, allowing taxpayers to choose between using it or filing their taxes manually.

  • @Carvex
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    2531 month ago

    I think I’ll skip paying taxes this year, my religion states I cannot support terrorist groups.

    • @[email protected]
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      1 month ago

      Good luck with that.

      But, in all seriousness: Everyone should do their taxes ASAP. If you are due a refund? File very quickly. If you owe money? Wait until the last possible minute. Because there are decent odds that we don’t have an IRS after a month or two of this…


      That said, DO make it a point to file state taxes regardless since those actually go toward things that, even in red states, are focused on the populace.

      • @Fredselfish
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        291 month ago

        To late he just got rid of what takes to do our fucking taxes. I REFUSE TO USE TURBOTAX OR HR BLOCK OR ANY OTHER PREDATORY TAX FILING COMPANY.

        Guess no refund for us and no child tax credit.

        Btw what the fuck is Congress doing? This motherfucker should not be able to do any of this, yet no one stopping him.

        • @[email protected]
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          221 month ago

          You do you. Personally, I want to get my money while I still can. But if you would rather throw away you and your children’s money then … 'kay.

          Because there are basically 3 outcomes for the IRS at this point

          1. musk et al completely destroy it and insist that income tax is no longer a thing and only sales tax exists. I forget if this is part of project 2025 but it is something republicans have been arguing for decades because it predominantly hurts lower income households
          2. Democrats do their fucking job and intervene and we file taxes normally
          3. musk et al completely compromise the IRS and make it a point to attack “the little guy” so they can insist they are hard on crime while actively ignoring all their cronies who refuse to ever pay taxes again.

          And if you truly refuse to use any software? You can file by hand. I did back in college when I couldn’t afford even fricking turbotax.

          • @Eatspancakes84
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            61 month ago

            Democrats cannot fix this. Perhaps you lived under a rock, but they lost power in all branches of government. Further, whether the actions by Musk violate the constitution is up for review by the courts, not congress. Remember who is in charge there? People warned that electing Trump would end Democracy, but I guess they were just scaremongering.

        • Tarquinn2049
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          1 month ago

          The article goes on to mention he is either lying or doesn’t know what he is talking about as the system is very much still in place. It could be either, and likely it’s both, that he doesn’t know enough to be sure if he did or not, but would be ok if it turns out to be a lie anyway.

            • AFK BRB Chocolate
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              21 month ago

              Ah, okay. Just for electronic filing though, right? You can still use it, print the results, and mail it in, can’t you?

        • @DarkFuture
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          81 month ago

          yet no one stopping him.

          Turns out America is weak as fuck. We’re only good at applying force when it comes to other nations.

        • @[email protected]
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          61 month ago

          Btw what the fuck is Congress doing?

          Republicans? Sucking a lot Trump, Musk, and any other billionaire’s dick.

          Democrats? Completely self-sabotaging any attempt to get any opposition going.

        • @EvacuateSoul
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          61 month ago

          I use cash app and it’s free, or at least it was last year.

        • @rayyy
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          61 month ago

          I REFUSE TO USE TURBOTAX OR HR BLOCK OR ANY OTHER PREDATORY TAX FILING COMPANY.

          Try this site.

          • @Fredselfish
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            41 month ago

            Where been doing my taxes. Thanks for the link.

      • Chris
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        31 month ago

        The government shuts down immediately of it stops drafting from our paychecks. You can be assured that whatever happens, that will continue.

        If that stops then there are going to be other more pressing issues.

      • @[email protected]
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        21 month ago

        I’m still waiting on two forms that the companies say won’t be available till 2/28. Otherwise I’m ready to submit.

      • @[email protected]
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        21 month ago

        Plus I suspect the states will outlast the feds at this point. With maybe the sole exception of Utah, and that has more to do with the fact that the nuttier Mormons have a weird fucked up prophecy where theyll save America in its dying days or some shit.

      • bean
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        21 month ago

        Can’t it also later be argued that it’s uncertain and unclear what’s there or not, since that imbecile is running around yanking out wires of the government like a ketamine fueled chimp.

        Casting doubt on the sanctity of the government’s records… I’d say that would go through courts for years.

    • @[email protected]
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      21 month ago

      You probably already pay taxes. Filing your taxes usually just helps dial in if you paid a bit too much or too little.