In Response to Warren, King, and Wyden Request, Government Watchdog Launches Probe Into Ineffective “Free File” Tax Program

Skip to primary navigation Skip to content × Close Mobile Nav About About Elizabeth Committee Assignments About Massachusetts Voting Record Contact Share Your Opinion Help with a Federal Agency Office Locations Send me Updates Share Your CFPB Story Save Our Schools Services Help with a Federal Agency Return to Repayment Guide Visiting DC/Tours Flag Request Internships Meeting Requests Academy Nominations Special Recognitions Grants Small Businesses Veterans, Servicemembers and Military Families FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Requests FY 2027 Appropriations Requests Oversight Reports Letters Social Security War Room Save Our Schools Campaign Legislation Newsroom News Coverage Press Releases Op-Eds Videos × Close Site Search search Elizabeth Warren Senator Elizabeth Warren's Facebook Page (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's BlueSky (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Twitter (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Youtube (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Instagram (This link opens in new window or tab.) About About Elizabeth Committee Assignments About Massachusetts Voting Record Contact Share Your Opinion Help with a Federal Agency Office Locations Send me Updates Share Your CFPB Story Save Our Schools Services Help with a Federal Agency Return to Repayment Guide Visiting DC/Tours Flag Request Internships Meeting Requests Academy Nominations Special Recognitions Grants Small Businesses Veterans, Servicemembers and Military Families FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Requests FY 2027 Appropriations Requests Oversight Reports Letters Social Security War Room Save Our Schools Campaign Legislation Newsroom News Coverage Press Releases Op-Eds Videos Español Close Search Open Search Popup Popup Search Close Search Popup MENU Senator Elizabeth Warren's Facebook Page (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's BlueSky (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Twitter (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Youtube (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Instagram (This link opens in new window or tab.) Home Newsroom Press Releases June 01, 2026 In Response to Warren, King, and Wyden Request, Government Watchdog Launches Probe Into Ineffective “Free File” Tax Program Text of GAO Response (PDF) Washington, DC - In response to a recent request from 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, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed it is launching a new probe into the Free File program, an IRS partnership with private tax prep companies. The lawmakers’ request followed the Trump administration’s decision to end the Direct File program — instead touting its failed Free File program, which has a nearly two-decade-long record of underperformance. “GAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority. We anticipate that staff with the required skills will be available shortly to initiate an engagement,” wrote GAO. 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. Investigations by Senator Warren and others found that Free File partners have leaked sensitive taxpayer data to private tech companies, putting taxpayers’ most sensitive information at risk. The new GAO investigation will help evaluate the program’s user experience, accessibility, accuracy, and costs, and address broader concerns surrounding Free File’s underperformance and the difficulties that low- and middle- income Americans encounter when trying to truly file their taxes for free. 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 addi