Dear John,

If you’re like millions of other Americans, you use third-party software to file your federal and state income taxes every year, and you pay the company a bundle for the service.

But good news is afoot!

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed new software for filing taxes that will be available in a beta version to some taxpayers next year. This question-and-answer based software will enable Americans to file their taxes electronically with the government, free of charge.

But the tax preparation industry is already fighting tooth and nail against a broader roll-out.

If we want to have this option in the future, we need to demonstrate strong support from the American people to counter the for-profit e-filing lobby! Please sign the petition to show the IRS your support now!

Listen, Americans shouldn’t have to pay greedy companies outrageous fees in order to file taxes electronically online.

That’s why President Biden worked with Congress to pass $80 billion in new funding for the IRS as part of the Inflation Reduction Act last year. It wasn’t just to increase enforcement to go after wealthy tax cheats who refuse to pay what they owe; it was also to make the agency more customer service friendly and effective.

Providing this new electronic tax filing option -- for free -- to people nationwide would be a big step forward in the fight against economic inequality too, especially for the most financially strapped.

Sign now to thank the IRS and encourage them to stand up to pressure and make this option available to everyone nationwide.

Free e-filing of taxes will make this duty and privilege of citizenship more convenient for everyone.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action