The IRS has successfully piloted its free Direct File online tax-filing system in 12 select states, despite facing numerous technical challenges. At a President’s Management Agenda event, IRS officials Merici Vinton and Chris Given discussed how over 1,000 fixes were made after the launch. Commissioner Danny Werfel's cautious approach was crucial to the program’s success. More than 140,000 taxpayers used Direct File, resulting in over $90 million in refunds and $35 million in balances due. The IRS is now working to expand the program to all 50 states for the next filing season, focusing on tax situations impacting working families. However, a House Republican effort in the appropriations process aims to zero out Direct File, presenting a potential challenge.

In other news, the Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act includes several cybersecurity provisions related to zero trust. This concept assumes an adversary has already accessed the network, requiring constant monitoring and authentication of users and devices. The Act directs the DOD chief information officer to tailor the zero-trust framework to include human-wearable devices, sensors, and other smart technology within the military internet of things (IoT) within 180 days of the law’s passage. These interconnected, data-rich devices enhance military operations but also increase vulnerability to cyberattacks. The DOD aims to meet specific zero-trust capability outcomes by September 30, 2027.