Senate minority staff identified $33.5 million sunk in IRS Direct File

Entities and roles

• Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
• Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
• Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
• IRS Direct Filepublic tax-filing service terminated after DOGE review

Relationships in this file

1. Elon Muskended a service after public development investmentIRS Direct File
2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought

Money trail

1. lossSenate minority staff identified $33.5 million sunk in IRS Direct File$33.5 million

   Estimated loss source

   Internal Revenue Service

   Estimated gain recipient

   Terminated software investment

   Loss or cost borne by

   Taxpayers who used free filing and federal taxpayers

Claims and evidence

1. estimateestimate

   PSI minority staff identified $33.5 million already spent developing Direct File as a sunk public cost when the Trump administration ended the IRS service.

   • U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Minority Staff: The $21.7 Billion Blunder: Analyzing the Waste Generated by DOGEPassages and source records documenting: Senate minority staff identified $33.5 million sunk in IRS Direct File
2. factdocumented

   Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

   • The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
3. factdocumented

   Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.

   • United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 37: Confirmation of Russell VoughtAppointment or biography record identifying Russell Vought as Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director