The Internal Revenue Service is the country’s tax collector, but a majority of people like the idea of the agency also becoming a tax preparer that does the job for free, according to a new poll released Monday. The IRS is studying if it can pull off a tax-return filing service, becoming a no-cost option compared to commercial tax-preparation options like TurboTax and H&R Block.
In Monday’s poll, 76% of voters said they like the prospect of the IRS creating a no-cost and simplified tax-return filing service on its website. Nearly 9 in 10 poll participants identifying as Democrats (88%) backed the idea, as did 69% of independents and 64% of Republican-leaning poll participants. The Economic Security Project, a left-leaning advocacy organization, partnered with Navigator, which describes itself as a “progressive” public-opinion research firm. On Capitol Hill, many Democrats support the IRS providing a direct-filing option while many Republicans — and the tax preparation industry — have come out against it. The agency’s report on the issue is expected as soon as this week, the Wall Street Journal reported. In the poll released Monday, support for a direct-filing option held up across income levels. While 77% of households making under $50,000 a year supported the option, 74% of poll participants earning over $100,000 a year said they backed a direct-filing choice.
“On Capitol Hill, many Democrats support the IRS providing a direct-filing option while many Re …
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