Free and Simplified Tax Filing
The Future of Tax Filing Fellowship Convening
09. 17. 2025
We’ll gather a dynamic mix of federal and state leaders, policy thinkers, and civic tech innovators for discussion, feedback, and strategy-setting.
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Join ESP’s Future of Tax Filing Fellows—including the visionary builders and designers of Direct File—to hear how they are shaping bold, people-centered recommendations for the next chapter of simplified tax filing and benefit access. Over two days, fellows will share their work to:
- Document key lessons from Direct File and chart a forward path;
- Explore the future of simplified tax filing and tax credit access; and
- Propose next-generation civic tech infrastructure rooted in equity and trust.
Tuesday, September 23
4:00 pm
Guest check-in
Location: Front desk
6:00 pm
Welcome Cocktails
Informal; attendance optional
Location: River Fox
7:00 pm
Dinner
Informal; attendance optional
Location: Windrose Dining Room
Wednesday, September 24
7:00 am
Breakfast
Location: Windrose Dining Room
8:00 am
Break
12:00 pm
Welcome Remarks
Location: Hearth Dining Room
12:45 pm
Break
1:00 pm
How We Got Here
The Direct File origin story from concept to execution.
Merici Vinton
Chris Given
(Future of Tax Filing Fellows, Economic Security Project)
Location: Greenhouse
2:00 pm
Lighting Talk #1
Location: Greenhouse
2:10 pm
What Could Come Next
Policy ideas and vision for the future
Chris Given
Allison Abbott
(Shorenstein Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School)
Gabriel Zucker
(Future of Tax Filing Fellows, Economic Security Project)
3:20 pm
Break
3:30 pm
Breakout Discussions
How do we respond to the IRS report promoting private tax prep?
What other opportunities exist to do similar research to advance the policy discussion?
Location: Greenhouse & LL201
4:20 pm
What’s Happening in the States
What should we be doing in states and why?
California Deputy State Controller for Taxation Hasib Emran
Teri Olle, Director, Economic Security California
Location: Greenhouse
5:00 pm
Building a Government that Delivers
How do we deliver for working families and why is Direct File part of that mission?
Felicia Wong, Principal, Roosevelt Institute
Taylor Jo Isenberg, Executive Director, Economic Security Project
Location: Greenhouse
5:45 pm
Break
6:15 pm
Cocktail Hour
Location: River Fox
7:00 pm
Dinner
Location: Windrose Dining Room
8:30 pm
S’mores Reception
Plaza Firepit
Thursday, September 25
7:00 am
Breakfast
Location: Windrose Dining Room
9:00 am
Behind the Curtain
What were the challenges on the inside and how do we set ourselves up for success next time?
Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel
Former NEC Deputy Director Bharat Ramamurti
Location: Greenhouse
10:00 am
Break
10:10 am
Tech That Enables the Future
Civic infrastructure ideas and new technology tools that could be built to facilitate more tools like Direct File.
Chris Given,
(Future of Tax Filing Fellow, Economic Security Project)
Location: Greenhouse
11:00 am
Lighting Talk #2
Location: Greenhouse
11:10 am
Breakout Discussions
What is actionable right now about civic tech?
What is actionable right now about tax simplification and tax benefits access?
Location: Greenhouse & LL201
11:40 am
Lighting Talk #3
Location: Greenhouse
12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Lunch will be served
Adam Ruben, Vice President of Campaigns and Political Strategy, Economic Security Project
Location: Greenhouse
1:00 pm
Departure