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John,
Together, we’ve been fighting for a free, easy-to-use online tax-filing system to compete with the paid options offered by tax prep corporations like TurboTax and H&R Block.
Last year, we overcame massive corporate lobbying when Democrats passed and President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act which, among other things, invests $80 billion in the IRS, including money to implement a pilot program of a new, free “Direct File” system.
Even as corporations and their bought-and-paid-for politicians in Congress attempt to claw back $67 billion of that $80 billion investment, our allies in Congress are fighting by our side to hold greedy tax-prep corporations accountable.
Last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) sent a letter to tax prep executives:
Let’s keep fighting alongside our champions and fight for a tax filing system that is free and easy to use. Donate today to power our campaign and win!
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:
Thank you. Together, let’s keep holding greedy corporations accountable.
Sarah Christopherson
Legislative and Policy Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
-- David's email --
John,
For decades, the tax prep industry has spent millions of dollars lobbying the federal government to prevent the IRS from implementing a free, easy-to-use, online tax-filing system.
According to an investigative report by ProPublica, TurboTax and H&R Block have been hiding their so-called free tax filing software in order to trick taxpayers into paying fees to file their taxes online, even when a taxpayer qualified for free online tax filing.[1]
In 2020, around 70% of taxpayers were eligible to file their taxes online for free. But because of tricks and traps set by the tax prep industry, only about 3% successfully found and used the free options.[2]
Together, we’ve been fighting to allow the IRS to implement a free “Direct File” system. And, now it’s on the verge of doing so, using some of the restored funding the agency was afforded in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). But, House Republicans are attempting to claw back $67 billion of that $80 billion investment in better IRS services.
Our champions in Congress are fighting back:
Last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) sent a letter to tax prep executives seeking information on how much these corporations have profited from their lobbying efforts. In their letter, Sen. Warren and Rep. Porter said:
“Tax prep companies have engaged in a long and aggressive lobbying campaign to prevent the IRS from offering taxpayers a direct filing option.”
Congress is about to return to Washington after its August recess. We’re fighting back against GOP attempts to kill Direct File and undermine other critical investments made in the IRS that are meant to better serve everyday taxpayers.
Rush a donation today to fight back against greedy tax-prep corporations and their high-priced lobbyists and ensure the IRS has the resources it needs to make tax filing free and easy for millions of taxpayers each year.
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:
Together, we’re fighting for an economy and a tax system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
Thank you,
David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] Here’s How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes
[2] IRS Should Develop Additional Options for Taxpayers to File for Free
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