Imagine a future where tax preparation and e-filing are made easier and more accessible. A future with no scanning your tax documents and uploading them to a portal. A future with no expensive tax return preparation, and frankly, no Robert. The IRS is taking steps towards this vision with its plan to develop a free direct file system. While there are challenges to overcome, the agency is determined to provide taxpayers with a convenient and cost-free option for filing their taxes. In this blog post, I will delve into the details of the IRS’s plan and what it means for taxpayers.
Current Challenges with Free File Program: Surprise! The IRS already currently offers the Free File program, allowing certain low- and middle-income individuals to use free tax software for preparing and filing their returns. However, the current program, which has been around for years, faces several obstacles. First, only around 3% of eligible taxpayers utilize this service, mainly due to lack of awareness. Additionally, the number of tax prep firms participating in the Free File program has declined, and there have been instances of alleged deceptive practices by some tax software companies, further hindering its success.
IRS’s Vision for a Free Direct File Tool: In response to the challenges faced by the current Free File program, the IRS is considering the development of its own free e-filing option. The envisioned direct-file tool would be mobile-friendly, multilingual, and designed to improve accessibility and user experience. Congress has provided $15 million to the IRS, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s massive IRS funding, to study the feasibility and cost of implementing this new system, and the agency has collaborated with the nonprofit group Code for America to develop an initial prototype.
Findings from the IRS Report: The IRS’s report, submitted to Congress in mid-May 2023, highlighted key findings regarding the potential implementation of a free direct-file tool. A significant 72% of surveyed individuals expressed interest in such a tool, with greater appeal among those who prepare their own returns rather than using paid preparers. Most taxpayers trust the IRS to keep their data secure. The estimated annual cost of implementing the direct-file tool ranges from $64 million to $249 million, depending on its scope and user adoption.
Important Considerations and Challenges: It is essential to understand several key points regarding the IRS’s plan for a free direct file system. First, the tool will be optional, not mandatory, and will not replace the existing Free File program initially. The rollout will occur in stages, with a limited pilot expected to launch in the 2024 filing season. While prepopulated or prefilled returns may not be available at first, they could be introduced later. Sustained funding will be critical for effective execution, and budget cuts from Congress could hinder the IRS’s efforts. Tax software firms may perceive the direct-file system as competition and may challenge its implementation through legal means. The IRS will need to enhance customer support for user inquiries, and facilitating state tax return preparations will present a significant challenge.
Conclusion: The IRS’s plan to introduce a free direct file system holds promise for a more accessible and user-friendly tax preparation and e-filing experience. With strong public interest and the potential to transform the future of tax filing, the IRS aims to address the limitations of the existing Free File program. As the agency progresses with its plans, it will be crucial to secure sustained funding and overcome challenges posed by legal concerns, customer support, and state tax return preparations. Stay tuned for updates as the IRS works towards making free tax preparation and e-filing a reality for taxpayers. So does this mean bye-bye Robert? Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you see it, no. The vast majority of our current clients have tax situations too complex for a direct file system like this to handle, so I’ll still have those busy tax seasons to deal with. But such a system would provide at least some relief to myself and my team, as we could direct some clients towards such a tool, as well as many of the prospects and inquiries that we currently receive that we just don’t have the bandwidth to handle. So if I’m not able to find qualified staffing to help us serve the public, then I more than welcome the robots to jump in and assist!
