On Tax Day, Warren Puts Direct File Bill on Senate Floor, Forces Republicans on Record on Free, Easy Tax Filing Program

On Tax Day, Warren Puts Direct File Bill on Senate Floor, Forces Republicans on Record on Free, Easy Tax Filing Program

"Filing your taxes should be easy and free…Let's save people time and money, and show the American people that government can work for them"

"[T]o Republicans defending the status quo, ask yourselves why you're on the side of TurboTax and H&R Block instead of your constituents"

Video of Remarks (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, 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.

"Filing your taxes should be easy and free…Let's save people time and money, and show the American people that government can work for them," said Senator Warren.

Republican Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, objected to Senator Warren's request, blocking passage of the bill.

"You've got to make a decision. Whose side are you on? The Democrats are on the side of saving money for American taxpayers. The Republicans are on the side of two big tax prep companies because they get paid to be on their side. So we may not get this one through today, but we'll keep coming back," Senator Warren said in response to his objection.

In 2024, the IRS launched Direct File to save families time and money. 94% of users described their experience as "excellent" or "above average," and more than 70% of taxpayers said they would use Direct File if they were eligible. Direct File was projected to save families up to $23 billion annually in fees, time, and tax credits once fully implemented.

"It's amazing that anyone could oppose this - especially when filing your taxes is something that Americans are required by law to do each year," said Senator Warren.

Despite Direct File's success, the Trump Administration ended the program after extensive lobbying efforts by tax prep companies.

"This is all about money and power. It's about letting big corporations donate to politicians and then politicians letting those companies rip off American families," said Senator Warren, noting that companies like Intuit, which owns TurboTax, donated millions to President Trump and Republicans.

Over 160 members of Congress and over 100 unions and advocacy groups support the Direct File Act.

"[T]o Republicans defending the status quo, ask yourselves why you're on the side of TurboTax and H&R Block instead of your constituents…I urge every senator to vote YES on the Direct File Act," she said.

Transcript:Remarks Calling for Unanimous Consent to Restore Direct File
U.S. Senate Floor
April 15, 2026

As Prepared for Delivery

Senator Elizabeth Warren: I'm about to call up a bill to the floor that would let Americans file their taxes for free directly with the IRS.

It's amazing that anyone could oppose this - especially when filing your taxes is something that Americans are required by law to do each year.

But as sure as the sun will rise, Republicans in Congress are going to block my bill.

For years, giant tax prep companies like TurboTax and H&R Block have rigged our system so they can cash in on your hard-earned dollars.

The result? People spend an average of 8 hours and $160 dollars each year just to file their taxes using tax prep services.

These big companies have become experts at figuring out ways to upsell, charge junk fees, and make money off your personal information. It's ridiculous.

So I drafted a bill that would allow Americans to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the IRS through a program called Direct File. Tens of millions of people wouldn't have to go to a paid preparer if they could just file directly with the IRS.

Over 160 members of Congress have joined me.

Over 100 unions and advocacy groups and national organizations have endorsed this bill.

And I'm forcing the Senate to decide today: will we pass this bill?

During the Biden administration, the IRS ran a pilot program for Direct File. And the people who had a chance to use it loved it. 94% of taxpayers who used the program described their experience as "excellent" or "above average"-not how people usually describe paying their taxes.

And once it was fully operational, Direct File was projected to save taxpayers $23 billion a year and countless hours of hassle.

So why don't we have Direct File today?

Tax prep companies hated it because it hurt their bottom line. Why would you pay for TurboTax if you could easily file your taxes for free? That's why for years, big tax prep companies have lobbied the government to keep people from using a program like Direct File.

The Direct File pilot project was a huge success, so why was it dropped?

First, Intuit, the company that runs TurboTax, donated a million dollars to Donald Trump's inauguration.

Then, a few months later, reports came out that Donald Trump and Elon Musk wanted to kill the free tax filing program.

And last fall, that's exactly what they did.

This story tells you all you need to know about why Republicans will block my bill today. This is all about money and power. It's about letting big corporations donate to politicians and then politicians letting those companies rip off American families.

To Republicans who say that making filing your taxes for free with the IRS is too expensive: for just one day of bombing Iran, we could pay for 20 years of Direct File.

To Republicans who say that it's already free to file your taxes: go talk to the millions of people who paid over a hundred bucks to file their taxes this year and ask them how free it was.

And to Republicans defending the status quo, ask yourselves why you're on the side of TurboTax and H&R Block instead of your constituents.

Filing your taxes should be easy and free. I urge every senator to vote YES on the Direct File Act.

Let's save people time and money, and show the American people that government can work for them.

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