Tax Prep Firms' Data Sharing with Google, Meta, and Facebook Sparks Congressional Probe

A congressional investigation has revealed that major tax-prep companies, including TaxSlayer, H&R Block, and TaxAct, have been sharing Americans' sensitive financial data with tech giants Meta and Google for years, potentially violating federal law. The data, which included taxpayer information such as filing status, adjusted gross income, and tax refunds, was shared without consent or appropriate disclosures. The report raises concerns about taxpayer privacy and could lead to legal action against the companies involved. The investigation also found that every taxpayer who used TaxAct's IRS Free File service had their information shared with the tech companies. The findings underscore the need for federal legislation guaranteeing data privacy rights for Americans.