Senators Urge IRS to Provide Taxpayers With Free Software

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If your tax situation for a particular year turned out such that the taxes on your return would be calculated in your favor, would you trust tax software from the IRS to actually calculate those taxes in your favor? It probably would, otherwise there might be a huge outcry against it, but...you never know. Think about it. And if the IRS does have an extra $20 or $30 million, then I agree, cut it and save the taxpayers money that way.

Casey of OH 9:07AM June 21, 2011

I agree with the above comment. Most legal actions are the same as tax preparation...mostly show, little effort. We researched the procedures for a name change and did everything ourselves, including typing the document. The District Judge was helpful and pointed out just a couple of minor issues and approved it without a problem, and without us having to spend hundreds and thousands for such a simple procedure. Cmon Durbin...lets see you demand such a process for all professions.

Bob of TX 9:03AM June 21, 2011

I usually disagree with Durbin, but this time around a big yes. If the IRS wants electronic returns then they should have the tools availabe for an individual to file. I see all to many people running to H&R Block or buying the latest Turbotax software to file their returns, when there is no need to. Durbin is correct it is an additional tax.
Forcing people to buy software or pay fees to file is ludicrous.

Norm kocol of IL 8:55AM June 21, 2011

One way to help tax payers with the compliance issues of the current tax system is to get rid of the current system and start over. The solution appears to be tackling the symptom and not the root cause.

RGA of NC 8:54AM June 21, 2011

Another politician totally out of touch with reality. If they want to simply things, remove the more than 62,000 pages of tax code, adopt a flat tax rate of 5% on the first 100,000 and 10% on any above $100k. No deductions, no loopholes, plain and simple. Then one might be able to come up with software that the average citizen could use to complete their tax returns. LESS Government is the answer...NOT MORE!!!!

Greg of KY 8:54AM June 21, 2011

It is not that easy with current tax laws. Most people I deal with do not want to deal with their tax return and would rather pay someone to do it. They already have free tax filing on the IRS website which I have used for freinds and is very good. I believe many returns can be done by the taxpayer, but they do not want to take the time to do it and learn the tax laws, which I don't blaim them life is complicated enough. This again is a waste of taxpayers money and we talk about job creation and the government is trying to take over the tax preparers jobs!

Nancy Taylor of NY 8:44AM June 21, 2011

Fitting that this request comes from a democrat in Illinois. Their slogan is "Illinois, where the governors make the license plates". Fitting that it comes from a state that has a history of fraud and corruption in it's politics. This was a great country while it lasted, but that time has passed. If they don't clean up the Congress soon, there will be riots in the streets. Most of the people we have in Washington are perverts like Weiner, only there to get rich from kick-back deals and party at taxpayer expense. I have no doubt that Durbin will get a Nobel Prize for this suggestion. I have an idea, simplify the tax code!

Disappointed of IN 8:41AM June 21, 2011

Hey Sens Durbin and Kirk - How about we make all federal, state, and local courts user friendly to the point that all actions (probate, divorce, custody, criminal, civil....ALL actions) are self service? What's that? As an attorney you wouldn't recommend that?
Quit trying to make government the answer. It is not and will not. If the IRS has an extra $20 or $30 million in its budget, cut it. Savings to the tax payer acheived.

Dave Brandt of MI 8:40AM June 21, 2011