March 02, 2025
What's the story:
Under instructions from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Donald Trump administration has disbanded the 18F digital service team, which played a key role in developing the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) free tax-filing service. The team, consisting of around 90 members, was immediately locked out of their devices following the decision. This move aligns with efforts to optimize U.S. government efficiency, as outlined in executive orders confirmed by the General Service Administration (GSA).
Team dissolution:
DOGE's stance on 18F:
A GSA spokesperson explained that the dissolution of the 18F team was part of the Department of Government Efficiency's initiative, specifically the executive order "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative," issued on February 11.
Elon Musk himself criticized 18F, calling it a "far-left government-wide computer office," and stated that the group had been "deleted."Background of 18F:
The 18F team was created in 2014 during the Obama administration to help federal agencies improve their digital services, including building user-friendly platforms for government services.
Service continuity:
IRS website remains operational:
Despite the disbanding of 18F, the IRS's free tax-filing service remains operational. The Washington Post reported that DOGE officials are exploring ways to use personal tax records for verifying federal benefits payments to prevent fraud.Homeland Security involvement:
Additionally, the Homeland Security Department has requested home addresses from the IRS for about 700,000 undocumented immigrants who are targeted for deportation.