SE Nebraska News

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued a statement following the release of a Department of the Treasury report on the suspension and replacement of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Direct File tax filing program.

“IRS Direct File was an expensive, duplicative program which was never authorized or funded by Congress, and I want to express my appreciation to President Trump, Secretary Bessent, and CEO Bisignano for bringing this chapter to a close," Smith said.

He continued: “American families and family businesses by-and-large pay their taxes accurately and on time. The Biden administration and congressional Democrats’ vision of a supercharged IRS monitoring Americans’ bank accounts, assessing tax, and targeting anyone who disagrees, especially farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, for audits, is inconsistent with our longstanding voluntary compliance system and with basic standards of fairness."

Smith also commented on future steps: “As part of today’s report, the Department of Treasury has correctly identified the need to improve access to new and existing free file options for basic family tax returns, and I look forward to working with the Trump administration and my congressional colleagues to ensure it happens.”

Smith has been active in efforts related to IRS policy. In January 2023, he co-sponsored legislation aimed at repealing funding increases for the IRS under the Biden Administration. The bill was the first passed by the House in that session. In subsequent years, Smith led actions within his committee urging Congress to defund Direct File. He also sent letters raising concerns about its expansion.

In July 2024, Smith introduced legislation with Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) seeking termination of what they described as an unauthorized program. Later that year they asked President Trump to end the pilot initiative upon taking office. By January 2025 updated legislation was introduced alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), leading to language discontinuing Direct File being included in a broader tax package enacted in July.

Adrian Smith has represented Nebraska’s 3rd district in Congress since 2007 after previously serving in Nebraska's state legislature from 1999 until his election to Congress. Born in Scottsbluff in 1970, he currently resides in Gering. He earned his BA from University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1993.