Direct File Act Needed to Counter Big Tax Prep Greed, Would Save Taxpayers Money
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Direct File Act was introduced today in both chambers of Congress to codify the popular, free IRS online filing software, Direct File, which was suspended by the Trump administration. The bill is led by U.S. Sens. Warren (D-Mass.), Wyden (D-Ore.), and Coons (D-Del.) and by Reps. Sherman (D-Calif.), Beyer (D-Va.), Hoyer (D-Md.), Chu (D-Calif.), and Pocan (D-Wis.), with 160 lawmakers in total who support the bill. At least 115 national, state, and local organizations have endorsed the legislation. Susan Harley, managing director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division, released the following statement:
“Unfortunately, lobbying by Big Tax Prep paid off when the Trump administration suspended Direct File – the popular, free IRS tax filing software – ensuring that corporations can continue to bilk taxpayers year after year for our hard earned cash.
“This bill revives Direct File and enshrines it in law, so that taxpayers will again have the option to use the free online filing software. Congress cannot allow this popular government service to be yanked away on a whim by future administrations.”