State launches pilot program to fill out residents' tax returns

State launches pilot program to fill out residents' tax returns


The Associated Press
Last Updated: February 20, 2005, 11:45:20 AM PST


SACRAMENTO (AP) - California is poised to launch a major new experiment in the way its residents pay taxes, as a small group of taxpayers have signed up for a pilot program to let the government fill out their tax returns.

Instead of receiving blank forms in the mail, the group will instead be asked to sign tax forms that have already been filled out by the state tax agency. They'll then enclose a check if they own anything and send the form back to the state.

The Ready Return project is the latest entry in a national debate over how to improve the way taxes are collected. If successful, it could eventually be offer to about three million Californians who have uncomplicated returns.

"I think it is the most important tax move the state has ever made," said Joseph Bankman, a professor of tax law at Stanford University who is helping the state run the program.

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