Warren, King, Wyden Push Government Watchdog to Launch Probe Into Ineffective “Free File” Tax Program

Warren, King, Wyden Push Government Watchdog to Launch Probe Into Ineffective "Free File" Tax Program

"Free File cannot efficiently, effectively, and securely serve the taxpayers who are statutorily entitled to free tax filing services."

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Angus King (I-Maine), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to launch a new probe into the Free File program, a partnership with private tax prep companies. The request comes after the Trump administration killed the Direct File program, instead touting its failed Free File program, which has a nearly two-decade-long record of underperformance.

"We have serious concerns that Free File cannot efficiently, effectively, and securely serve the taxpayers who are statutorily entitled to free tax filing services," wrote the lawmakers.

In April 2022, GAO released a report entitled "IRS Should Develop Additional Options for Taxpayers to File for Free," highlighting the need for the government to develop new ways for low- and middle-income Americans to file their taxes for free. In response, the Biden administration created the Direct File program, which allowed Americans to file their tax returns online, for free, and directly with the IRS.

Last October, the Trump administration killed the Direct File program, asserting that the Free File program, which is operated by for-profit tax preparation firms and has a lengthy track record of underperformance, could meet taxpayers' needs.

In addition to GAO's earlier report, numerous reports by Congressional committees, nonpartisan watchdogs, and media outlets have identified serious problems with Free File. Free File partners have deliberately misled taxpayers into paying for assistance when they are eligible to file for free. Additionally, an investigation by Senator Warren found that Free File partners have leaked sensitive taxpayer data to private tech companies, putting taxpayers' most sensitive information at risk.

To address concerns surrounding Free File's underperformance and the lack of options for Americans to truly file their taxes for free, the senators requested that GAO initiate an investigation to evaluate the program's user experience, accessibility, accuracy, and costs.

Senator Warren is a leading voice in advocating for taxpayers and for improved IRS resources:

• In April 2026, Senator Warren introduced the Stop Corporations and High Earners from Avoiding Taxes and Enforce the Rules Strictly (Stop CHEATERS) Act, a bill to restore and revitalize the IRS with additional funding for tax enforcement, technology operations support, systems modernization, and taxpayer services like free taxpayer assistance.

• In April 2026, Senator Warren took to the Senate floor to seek unanimous consent to pass the Direct File Act. The bill would reverse the Trump administration's decision to end the highly successful Direct File program-which allowed Americans to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the government-and make the program permanent.

• In February 2026, Senator Warren led over 150 lawmakers in introducing the Direct File Act, new legislation that would reverse the Trump administration's decision to end the highly successful Direct File program - which allowed taxpayers to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the government - and make the program permanent.

• In February 2026, Senator Warren led her colleagues in pressing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief of Taxpayer Services Ken Corbin on the Treasury Department's decision to end Direct File and instead promote Free File.

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