Well, for one thing, it doesn’t help that it’s been opposed for years by the company behind the most popular consumer tax software — Intuit, maker of TurboTax. Conservative tax activist Grover Norquist and an influential computer industry group also have fought return-free filing.
Intuit has spent about $11.5 million on federal lobbying in the past five years — more than Apple or Amazon. Although the lobbying spans a range of issues, Intuit’s disclosures pointedly note that the company “opposes IRS government tax preparation.”
Well, of course they’re going to oppose anything that takes their customers away.
I’m sure the irony is not lost on Peter that Grover Norquist is fighting against this.
“Norquist and others wrote [it] could be ‘extremely intimidating, particularly for seniors, low-income and non-English speaking citizens.'”
Usually these guys are vilifying non-English speaking citizens. Now, when it suits their interests, they’re suddenly deeply concerned about their welfare. That’s a laugh.
Please don’t generalize. When has Grover ever vilified non-English speaking citizens?
What is worse and more intimidating for “non-English speaking citizens”?
1) Giving the individual a piece of paper that says “This is what we think you owe in taxes for last year based on information from your bank and employer. And this is what has been withheld.”
2) Telling the individual “here is a complex set of forms full of detailed english instructions for you ‘non-english speaking individual’ to make sense of and file”. If you screw up you will be investigated.
Yeah, sure, I’m going to trust what the government thinks I owe.
Maybe a better idea not having to file a return at all. Flat 10% rate for everybody- done. Then cut the government to fit it.