All articles tagged with #tax preparation industry
The IRS has announced plans to develop an experimental online tool that would allow Americans to file taxes directly with the agency for free. The move is a significant development given that most US taxpayers pay to file and the tax preparation industry has long held sway in Washington. The pilot is a possible turning point in a fight that goes back decades, and seems sure to continue years into the future.
The IRS is testing a new system called Direct File that would allow taxpayers to file federal tax returns for free online directly with the agency, with a pilot program launching for some filers next year. The pilot program will begin during the 2024 filing season, following recent testing and a feasibility report. Nearly three-quarters of taxpayers expressed interest in a free IRS-provided filing system, with high popularity among younger filers, those with limited English proficiency and do-it-yourself taxpayers, according to a 2022 survey cited in the report. However, there has already been pushback from Republicans and the tax preparation industry.