OpenFile
Web and SaaS
tax filing
SHOW HN2025
244points
34comments
#246of 3,837 in 2025
Top 7%of 2025 by points
How HN took it
CuriousMostly questions and neutral comments
4 positive, 6 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 2 critical, out of 12 comments about the project. Thread score +0.28.
Idea: 0 for, 2 againstDocs: 1 for, 0 againstDesign: 1 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Appreciation for keeping the project going and preserving government open source work
From 3 comments
Thanks so much for keeping this going, and for the late 18F for open-sourcing these implementations... I hope there's a way we can institutionalize your efforts. As a side note,…
nxobject on HNThat is really awesome, which I could give more upvotes. I hope you can keep it running and get some support. (sry i've made it a life mission to avoid javascript when possible)…
citizenpaul on HNThank you for your work
McAlpine5892 on HN
Objections
Only works for simple returns such as a single W-2, so it is of limited use
From 2 comments
so it is the mostly useless system that only works for a single w2 :( 99.999% of people here would never be able to use it anyway.
1oooqooq on HNnever understood exactly what is the code they released. is it just the from filler that only works for people with a single w2 and no stocks etc?
1oooqooq on HN
Self-reported fact databases could be falsified without audit checks
From 1 comment
Taxes work on "self assessment" basis meaning you, the taxpayer have the burden to declare all facts relevant to assessment of your tax and you pay the tax. Then, sometimes your…
2Gkashmiri on HN
Requests
A command line interface
From 1 comment
Would absolutely love a command line. Maybe if I ever get free time and feel like dusting off my Java.
EPWN3D on HN
Questions
What the released IRS code actually includes
From 1 comment
never understood exactly what is the code they released. is it just the from filler that only works for people with a single w2 and no stocks etc?
1oooqooq on HN
Alternatives named
IRS Direct File (original)
From 1 comment
IRS Direct File on GitHub - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44182356 - June 2025 https://chrisgiven.com/2025/06/saying-goodbye/…
toomuchtodo on HN
Open Tax Solver
From 1 comment
is this official but incomplete code better than the always open source but mostly complete open tax solver project?
1oooqooq on HN
Solid
From 1 comment
Sounds similar to what Tim Berners-Lee was working on with Solid (https://solidproject.org/about).
bigums on HN