|
John,
If the IRS provided “Free File” tax preparation software to millions of Americans, it wouldn’t just save taxpayers time and money. It would also help narrow our nation’s racial income and wealth gaps. That’s because a Free File system would make it easier for millions of people to claim important income supports their entitled to: the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which disproportionately benefit Black and Latino families.[1]
But, even as the IRS is preparing a soft launch of Free File for the next tax season, greedy tax prep corporations and their bought-and-paid for politicians in Congress are attempting to stop it.
In the next two weeks, the House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on a GOP proposal to prevent the IRS from implementing Free File.
Donate today to fight back against attempts by House Republicans and greedy tax prep corporations to kill Free File.
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:
Read David’s email below, to learn how corporations like H&R Block aren’t just ripping off American taxpayers; they’re also betraying our trust by selling our sensitive information to Facebook and Google to further pad their profits. Then pitch in to fight back!
Together, we’re holding greedy corporations accountable and demanding a tax filing system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
Sarah Christopherson
Legislative and Policy Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] “Disparities in the Benefits of Tax Expenditures by Race and Ethnicity,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, Jan. 20, 2023
-- David's email --
John,
This week, we learned that tax prep corporations like H&R Block have been handing taxpayers’ sensitive information over to Facebook and Google for years, in a major breach of trust:[1]
They’ve gotten their hands on the personal information of millions of Americans because they’ve cornered the tax preparation market. For decades, they’ve successfully blocked the IRS from implementing a free, easy-to-use tax filing program—forcing taxpayers to instead use paid options that cost, on average, $250 each year.[2][3]
Now, thanks to the multi-billion-dollar investment enacted last year by President Biden and congressional Democrats as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS finally has the resources to create a “Free File” online system that could save taxpayers time and money. But House Republicans have proposed blocking implementation of “Free File.” And a committee vote is expected on their proposal in the next two weeks.
We’re fighting back against greedy tax prep corporations that charge us hundreds of dollars each year and then turn around and sell our information to further pad their profits. Donate today to defeat the House Republican plan to destroy “Free File.”
The vast majority of American taxpayers would gladly utilize Free File software provided by the IRS. A recent poll found that 72% of taxpayers were “very” or “somewhat” likely to use Free File.[4]
This wouldn’t just save everyday taxpayers time and money. It would also provide a boost to working people and communities of color.
Right now, one in five people currently eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to claim it.[5] Free File would help more people claim the important income supports they’re entitled to, including the EITC and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), supporting millions of working people, children, and families each year.
Fight back against greedy tax prep corporations and the Republican plan to protect their profits. Donate today to stop GOP attempts to kill Free File.
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:
Together, we’re fighting for a tax system that works for everyday people, not just the rich and greedy corporations.
David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] “Tax prep companies shared private taxpayer data with Google and Meta for years, congressional probe finds,” CNN, Jul. 12, 2023
[2] “Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans from Filing Their Taxes for Free,” ProPublica, Oct. 17, 2019
[3] “1040 (AND 1040-SR) INSTRUCTIONS,” IRS Tax Year 2022
[4] “GOP House Bill Would Hobble IRS, Bar Funding For Free Direct-File Tax Returns System,” Forbes, Jun. 23, 2023
[5] “EITC Awareness Day: Important changes mean more people qualify for credit that helps millions of Americans,” IRS, Jan. 28, 2022
|
