US Congress legislative records and official announcements

House Republicans Aim to End IRS's Direct File Amid Tax Cuts for Billionaires

Dec 11, 2024, 04:43 PM

House Republicans are pushing to eliminate the IRS's Direct File program, a free online tax filing service, as part of their broader tax policy changes. Critics argue that this move would benefit wealthy corporate donors, particularly tax preparation companies like H&R Block and TurboTax, at the expense of average taxpayers. The Direct File program has been praised for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, allowing individuals to file their taxes directly with the IRS without incurring fees from private tax preparation firms. The opposition to Direct File comes amidst other Republican priorities, such as advocating for tax cuts for billionaires while potentially delaying Social Security benefits and threatening programs like Medicare. This has led to accusations that Republicans are prioritizing the interests of their wealthy donors over those of the general public.