IRS News Today — September 26, 2026

As governments at various levels continue to adapt to changes in policy and technology, several initiatives are underway to improve public services. In the realm of tax services, some states are taking steps to fill the gap left by the federal Direct File program, which had aimed to provide taxpayers with a straightforward way to file their taxes directly with the government. State efforts to create alternative filing systems or expand existing ones are intended to make tax filing easier and more accessible for residents.

Meanwhile, in the areas of social media use and healthcare technology, other developments are taking shape. A government watchdog has issued guidance on the use of social media by federal agencies during shutdowns, cautioning against the use of "derogatory" messaging but ultimately declining to impose disciplinary actions for past infractions. Separately, efforts to modernize Medicaid systems are underway, with a focus on updating technology without disrupting the care that beneficiaries rely on. These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to improve the delivery of public services and ensure that government programs remain effective and efficient.

Today's signal:
• State efforts to fill the ‘void’ left by the federal Direct File are underway (route-fifty.com)
• Watchdog won’t discipline agencies over partisan shutdown posts but warns against ‘derogatory’ messaging (govexec.com)
• Modernizing Medicaid systems without disrupting care (route-fifty.com)