Congress about to ban IRS from offering free online tax filing. Thank TurboTax.

[TexasTowelie]

A bill that has support from Democrats and Republicans would prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from ever developing its own online tax-filing service.

Just in time for Tax Day, the for-profit tax-preparation industry is about to realize one of its long-sought goals. Congressional Democrats and Republicans are moving to permanently bar the IRS from creating a free electronic tax filing system.

A week ago, the House Ways and Means Committee, led by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Massachussetts, passed the Taxpayer First Act, a wide-ranging bill making several administrative changes to the IRS that is sponsored by Reps. John Lewis, D-Georgia, and Mike Kelly, R-Pennsylvania.

In one of its provisions, the bill makes it illegal for the IRS to create its own online system of tax filing. Companies like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and H&R Block have lobbied for years to block the IRS from creating such a system. If the tax agency created its own program, which would be similar to programs other developed countries have, it would threaten the industry’s profits.

Read more: https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/irs-free-tax-software-congress-ban-turbotax-hrblock-income-tax-april-15/

[rampartc]

1. pitiful

i will never vote for a comgresscritter who votes for this crap. are they really this afraid that people will do their own taxes without paying a preparer??

[MichMan]

2. You did see who the sponsors of the bill are didn't you?

I hope you aren't suggesting they should be primaried due to this one vote.

[rampartc]

3. yes i am so suggesting, and don't much care if i take a hide for it.

do you think the lobbyists convinced the congrsscritters with logical reasoning or "enlightened self interest?"