this post was submitted on 04 Feb 2025
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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.

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

This unelected fascist has no authority. Fuck him. Ignore him and refuse access...

[–] [email protected] 8 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago)

Haha! Joke's on them, people are so broke most just use the Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (replaced 1040EZ) forms.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago)

I love turbo tax and intuit. They're my favorite companies. I hope I can give more money to the IRS via intuit and hrblock. Thank you, Elongated Muskrat, you've truly saved America.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 1 day ago (1 children)

According to Forbes, the only thing he actually deleted was the 18F's (group that created Direct File) Xitter account. Lol

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2025/02/04/irs-direct-file-still-working-this-tax-season-despite-musks-comments/

Really Musky of him to confuse the 2

[–] [email protected] 6 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

I mean his social media obsession was what really showed behind the curtain of his fraying sanity the past few years, so I'm not especially surprised that he can't seem to distinguish between a Twitter account and real life.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 19 hours ago

things that happen on the internet are real. This is real life.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 21 hours ago

If he and Trump have one thing in common it's thin skin and being terminally online

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Used free file myself and it works great, if you haven't filed your taxes yet this year better do it fast before the site gets taken down!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Why on Earth would the US government want it to be difficult for its citizens to file taxes. Surely they want the taxes.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 20 hours ago

The complicated system means that there are lots of legal loopholes for wealthy people who can afford accountants. The billionaire I knew had it down exactly he how much he needed to to give to a charity, how to play games with moving money between family members…

On the other hand, because it is so complicated, lower class people working multiple shit jobs have to run through hoops and thus probably don’t get the refunds they’ve earned.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 21 hours ago

Stop assuming they actually mean well.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago

For most middle and low income families 'filing taxes' is how they get the amount they overpaid returned. If they cannot then the government keeps the extra.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Because Quickbooks and TurboTax or whatever wouldn’t be able to charge you out the ass

[–] [email protected] 2 points 17 hours ago

This pretty much. The IRS already knows how much you've paid them and can easily calculate how much you probably owe - they could easily switch to a system where they just send you a check/bill at the end of the year depending on the balance and that you only would have to file if you have a special tax situation, but they won't as long as tax filing is an industry.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I'm not sure he can do anything well.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago)

That's often the case with ~~CEOs~~ despots. They're more showmen/cheerleaders that people want to undress with their stonks. Otherwise, just talentless hacks that get paid too much money.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Except Nazi salutes. That arm thrust was chock full of intent and came straight from the heart!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

came straight from the heart

Bullshit. You're telling me he has a heart?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

Well not anymore, of course, as it went out to all his fellow Nazis

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

It was the most awkward and embarrassing Nazi salute in the history of Nazi salutes. He didn't even do that well.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

The irony of course being that actual Nazis wouldn't have liked him because he was South African. Him being white would probably be the minor mitigating factor but had they won their war he wouldn't have had a nice time.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'd bet good money he's never done his own taxes in his life

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

No, but he did do our taxes. Billionaires love government handouts after all.

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