The Life and Death of Direct File

The Life and Death of Direct File is a leadership case study that documents the launch of the IRS's first free, government-run tax-filing service. Drawing on interviews with 15 senior government officials, the report traces the decisions and practices that changed the status quo: enabling 400,000 Americans to file their taxes for free—until the Department of Government Efficiency shut it down in 2025. It is a record of what happened and a playbook for future leaders who want to build ambitious technology products that advance people and policy.