18F was proud to support the IRS, alongside the US Digital Service and other partners, in building Direct File. While disappointed in this latest outcome, we know our work together has shown what’s possible in civic tech when we put the American public first.

Direct File also demonstrated an effective approach to building government technology, using strategies like starting small, working cross-functionally, and designing with and for users.

In its pilot year, Direct File saved taxpayers an estimated $5.6 million in tax filing costs. In its second year, it helped filers claim nearly $216 million in tax credits owed to them.

It takes courage to share a story like this one: hats off to chuckborges5.bsky.social.

@Erie.bsky.social accepting the EFF Award: “Speaking up is hard and it's scary. But it will only get harder and scarier from here. The best time to do it was yesterday. The second-best time is today. These are not choices we will always have.”