The Tax Filing Simplification Act

[Patrick Michael]

"Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and a group of nearly two dozen Senate colleagues introduced legislation to enable more taxpayers to file their taxes online for free directly via the Internal Revenue Service.

The Tax Filing Simplification Act would direct the IRS to develop a free, online tax preparation and filing service that would allow all taxpayers to prepare and file their taxes directly with the federal government instead of being forced to share private information with third parties. It would actually prohibit the IRS from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide free online tax preparation or filing services. The bill also aims to improve taxpayer data access by allowing all taxpayers to download third-party-provided tax information that the IRS already has into a software program of their choice, saving time and decreasing the risk of math errors on W-2 income or Child Tax Credit payments that lead to significant processing delays."

[Donnarae]

Looks good on paper, but I wish they would tighten up on fraud by eliminating refundable tax credits before opening the floodgates to welcome even more. 
 

…and there’s your run-on-sentence for the day…

[TAXMAN]

You know imputing numbers is easy but is their theory correct?

[Lee B]

I didn't know the IRS offered this until I stumbled across it earlier this year:

 

"About Free File Fillable Forms

Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms you can fill out and file online for free, enabling you to:

Choose the income tax form you need

Enter your tax information online

Electronically sign and file your return

Print your return for recordkeeping

If you choose Free File Fillable Forms as your Free File option, you should be comfortable doing your own taxes. Limitations with Free File Fillable Forms include:

It won't give you guidance about which forms to use or help with your tax situation

It only performs basic calculations and doesn't provide extensive error checking

It will only file your federal return for the current tax year

No state tax return option is available

You can't make changes once your return is accepted

Free File Fillable Forms is the only IRS Free File option available for taxpayers whose 2021 income (AGI) is greater than $73,000. Taxpayers whose income is $73,000 or less qualify for IRS Free File partner offers, which can guide you through the preparation and filing of your tax return, and may include state tax filing."

[Abby Normal]

1 hour ago, cbslee said:

Free File Fillable Forms

Yes, I'm not sure if the forms do any math and I'm sure it's limited to the more basic returns, but it is a way to file free.

[Max W]

Senator Warren should try doing her own tax returns this way and see what results she gets.

She wants the IRS to provide a government version of Turbotax without considering all the problems people have had with TT.

It is so bad that that TT has had to hire EA's and CPA's to help taxpayers prepare their returns.

Will the IRS be providig help as well with IRS employees that have had only a rudimentary course in taxes?

 

 

[Lion EA]

Simplification = I get to increase my fees!

[Jim Oh Bkkr]

Simplified to a "post card", resulted in a 2 page 1040 now being about 5 pages on average.  Gotta agree with @Lion EA

[Abby Normal]

15 hours ago, Max W said:

She wants the IRS to provide a government version of Turbotax

That's not what she or most people want, but who knows what we'll end up with... if anything. This battle has raged since the 90s, at least.

[Randall]

The debt bomb keeps ticking.

[Lee B]

Another free efiling tax system that I have never heard about:

"MilTax online software is also available for members of the military and certain veterans, regardless of income. This software is offered through the Department of Defense. Eligible taxpayers can use MilTax to prepare and electronically file their federal tax returns and up to three state returns for free."