Why you shouldn't pay for tax prep

Did you know that in 23 states, a new government program will let you file your taxes for free? Anne Kim tells you about the government's DirectFile program and about the tax prep industry's efforts to block it.

Links to sources:

Direct File: https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free

GAO Report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-106933.pdf

ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free

ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-maker-linked-to-grassroots-campaign-against-free-simple-tax-filing

Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2023&id=D000026667

Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/h-r-block/summary?id=D000022016

Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2023/09/tax-prep-companies-lobbying-against-free-file-face-scrutiny-from-lawmakers/

IBISWorld: https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/tax-preparation-services/1399/

POLITICO: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/07/republicans-introduce-bill-to-block-direct-file-00170628

TaxNotes: https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/house-republicans-urge-trump-end-direct-file/2024/12/11/7p52w

National Consumer Law Center: https://www.nclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Rpt_2021_Tax_Time.pdf

H&R Block Annual Report: https://investors.hrblock.com/static-files/21dc5fdd-67e6-4ca2-bee8-3f44c73a3447