Direct File Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Sherman
Introduced
Summary
A government-operated online tax preparation and filing program would create a free, interview-style, auto-filled way for people to prepare and submit federal returns using IRS records. The bill would also bar agreements that limit or delay the federal government from offering filing software and would void existing restrictive contracts 30 days after enactment.
Show full summary
- Households and taxpayers: Would gain a plain-language, multilingual, mobile-friendly filing tool with automatic data input and integrated support, and could use it even if they are not required to file.
- States: Could opt in to provide integrated state filing or qualify as participating if they have no state income tax. Participating States would be eligible for a $1.0 million grant if their state filing meets federal standards, and the program aims for at least 50 percent eligibility among residents in participating States after 2027.
- Tax administration and vendors: The bill would prohibit public or private contracts that block the government from offering filing services and would change deadlines for certain information returns. The Secretary would report to Congress by August 31, 2027 and annually on usage, satisfaction, and barriers to use.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Free federal tax filing website
If enacted, the Treasury would create a Federal Government‑owned website to prepare and file individual income tax returns for free. The site would import IRS records at your election, use an interview‑style, user‑tested input process, and work on mobile devices. It would use plain language, multiple languages, meet section 508 accessibility rules, and be promoted widely on TV, radio, and social media. The site would include integrated customer support such as live chat and would allow filing even if you are not required to file that year. For tax years starting after 2027, not less than 50 percent of taxpayers in participating States would be eligible, and the Secretary would expand eligibility as practicable.
State filing, grants, and contract bans
If enacted, taxpayers in States that elect to join could file State or local income tax returns at the same time as their Federal return, subject to tax privacy rules under section 6103. The bill would allow sharing return information with State and local tax agencies for that purpose. States that show their filing functionality meets standards like the Federal program could receive a $1,000,000 grant. The Treasury would be barred from signing new agreements after enactment that prevent it from offering filing services, and any existing agreement that restricts the Secretary would be void 30 days after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sherman
CA • D
Cosponsors
Beyer
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Hoyer
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Aguilar
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Amo
RI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Balint
VT • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Beatty
OH • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Castor (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Conaway
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Dean (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
DeGette
CO • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
DeLauro
CT • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Dexter
OR • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Fields
LA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Foster
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Frankel, Lois
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Frost
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Garamendi
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Garcia (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Goldman (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Green, Al (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Harder (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Himes
CT • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Horsford
NV • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Houlahan
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Huffman
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Ivey
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Jacobs
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Landsman
OH • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Larsen (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Latimer
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Lee (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Matsui
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McClain Delaney
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McDonald Rivet
MI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
McGovern
MA • D
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McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Menendez
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Moulton
MA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Olszewski
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Pressley
MA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Quigley
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Raskin
MD • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Sanchez
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Scanlon
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Takano
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Suozzi
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Torres (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Vargas
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Veasey
TX • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Velazquez
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Walkinshaw
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Wasserman Schultz
FL • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
DeSaulnier
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Correa
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Subramanyam
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Meng
NY • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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