IRS plans to make its free tax filing program permanent
IRS plans to make its free tax filing program permanent
The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday that it will continue and expand its free tax filing program in 2025.
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unpopular opinion, but, as someone who can afford it, I like TurboTax as a product. hate Intuit as a company for all their bs lobbying, but I like having TurboTax as an option. I have like a dozen accounts across multiple banks and turbotax gets me done with my taxes in like 30 or less every year for cheaper than my old accountant did when I used one.
I’d say then that’s great! It’s just that the majority of people have one source of income and should be able to file for free.
yeah I agree. that's why I included that the perspective was as somebody who can afford it and that I still hate what Intuit does. But at the same time saying I like the product instead of the TurboTax sucks circlejerking that the Internet loves doing.
Don't see why the irs version would not do that. Its just a gathering of forms that all go to you and the irs so they already have them.
because they said they wouldn't. the direct file program said they're placing themselves as an option besides ones already on the market and will NOT replace any existing technology already on the market. so you still need to manually file with them. it's not the situation where they already have the documents so you don't have to do anything.
Edit:
The IRS tool is meant to be an additional option people have to file their tax returns and will not replace any existing options for filing, said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel on a call with reporters Wednesday.
im not saying it is automatically done but you should not need to input the data. if you do then its pants.
you will still need to manually input your information from the forms you receive. it just files your taxes for you. it doesn't do them for you.
Well this is no difference then as free fillable forms has always been an option they provided for free with no exclusions.
well the difference is that the government won't go oops you traded a stock, so you need to use premium for $120 and also shove sales and dark patterns in your face to trick you into buying premium. most others that were free usually charged to file state taxes or something or another too. definitely a win for the average joe, but it's not the process that people are imagining. the IRS has pretty directly said that they are providing another option to people and not making other services obsolete.
free fillable forms has always been free. its just online pdfs for the physical forms and the irs has been offering them for awhile. I have not used a physical in awhile. My point was if they can't pull the forms with the data its not really more useful than the current free fillable forms option.
think of it as TurboTax free file made by the government and that's it lol theyre a bit more than just PDFs online. theyve specifically said they're making another option on the market alongside existing products. but they're specifically NOT undercutting other existing technology.
yeah the only way I can see it being better since the irs already offered the free fillable forms is if it would autopopulate known forms like a w2 or 1099 (or is that 1098. I only know these things for like 3 months a year)