How the maker of TurboTax fought free, simple tax filing
Imagine the government filling out your return for you and then letting you just amend that return. Intuit and Grover Norquist both oppose this simple, optional system. As I'm sitting here, getting ready to do my taxes, this sounds like a desireable option.
From NBCNews:
It's already a reality in Denmark, Sweden and Spain. The government-prepared return would estimate your taxes using information your employer and bank already send it. Advocates say tens of millions of taxpayers could use such a system each year, saving them a collective $2 billion and 225 million hours in prep costs and time, according to one estimate.
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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."
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liberal N proud
(60,298 posts)This has to be the greediest land on the planet. Nothing for something is all these bastards can think about; how to squeeze every penny from those who already are hit hard by high prices and low wages.
El Supremo
(20,365 posts)I had to spend $51 on Turbo Tax this year. I used to do it all by hand.
I wonder how much H&R Block has spent?
sinkingfeeling
(51,274 posts)filing a friend's return. It really sucked compared to TaxAct and H&R Block.
StrayKat
(570 posts)- especially if you are in a bracket that forces you to use unsupported third party software or go to professional tax preparer.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)In the late 90s when e-commerce was getting off the ground, automakers were working on a groundbreaking system where you could order and your new car online for the sticker price + destination...No two weeks of bullshit back-and-forth hassling at the dealer, no mysterious extra add-on costs...You could take care of everything online and at your local bank, and you would just show up at the dealership to accept delivery...
As you guessed, the NADA used political pressure to kill this plan in its infancy, and hope no one ever remembered it even existed...
shenmue
(38,501 posts)Yipes I don't like him.