# A simpler way to file taxes ran into a complicated system around it

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-504783/a-simpler-way-to-file-taxes-ran-into-a-complicated-system-around-it
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-504783/a-simpler-way-to-file-taxes-ran-into-a-complicated-system-around-it.md
Podcast: [The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-504783)
Published: 2026-06-02T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mgln.ai/e/345/rss.art19.com/episodes/82b50112-54ae-42d4-acb2-d18945e35315.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://mgln.ai/e/345/rss.art19.com/episodes/82b50112-54ae-42d4-acb2-d18945e35315.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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Duration seconds: 655

## Resource

Direct File had to fit into an ecosystem that includes private tax prep companies, state system and IRS capacity. Even with positive user feedback, that environment created friction that could shape what comes next. Gabriel Zucker, Fellow at the Economic Security Project, joins us to walk through a new report that details what happened with Direct File and what lessons future reformers should learn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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## Transcript

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