5 ms·

Do private tax prep companies have an argument they advance about why automatic filing is a bad idea? Or is it just pure behind scenes lobbying?

Macha 5y ago
My understanding is the two pro arguments for manual filing are: If taxpayers aren't forced to confront the details of their tax payments every time they do a filing, they're less likely to complain about high taxes (this comes with the implication that high taxes are inherently bad, which depends on your political leaning) Taxpayers may just accept the automatic deduction without realising they're being overcharged in the event of an error, for years at a time. How much they actually care about such arguments vs the threat to their business model is subjective, but it seems the majority on this site (and myself) don't buy it.
- brainwipe 5y ago
  Thanks for the input. I understand the concerns. As a Brit who checks his taxes, I've only been overcharged once when I changed jobs and the rebate was fixed the following month (I paid less tax that month). I do still have to file if I take a second contract weekend-work but it's not difficult.
- fighterpilot 5y ago
  Is there a privacy/surveillance aspect to the argument? Or is the data that the IRS will collect the same either way?
  - Macha 5y ago
    They already have the data. Even if they didn't already have it, it's the same data they would mandate you to send them in the tax filing
mcherm 5y ago
The argument that they advance is that if we allowed government supported automatic filing, then people would no longer be able to take advantage of the free filing program that Intuit offers to low income households. What they don't mention is that this free filing offer is used by significantly less than 5% of the eligible taxpayers. Probably because Intuit advertises it very little and within the product very heavily hints that you should switch to a paid product instead.

Macha 5y ago

My understanding is the two pro arguments for manual filing are: If taxpayers aren't forced to confront the details of their tax payments every time they do a filing, they're less likely to complain about high taxes (this comes with the implication that high taxes are inherently bad, which depends on your political leaning) Taxpayers may just accept the automatic deduction without realising they're being overcharged in the event of an error, for years at a time. How much they actually care about such arguments vs the threat to their business model is subjective, but it seems the majority on this site (and myself) don't buy it.

brainwipe 5y ago
Thanks for the input. I understand the concerns. As a Brit who checks his taxes, I've only been overcharged once when I changed jobs and the rebate was fixed the following month (I paid less tax that month). I do still have to file if I take a second contract weekend-work but it's not difficult.
fighterpilot 5y ago
Is there a privacy/surveillance aspect to the argument? Or is the data that the IRS will collect the same either way?
- Macha 5y ago
  They already have the data. Even if they didn't already have it, it's the same data they would mandate you to send them in the tax filing

mcherm 5y ago

The argument that they advance is that if we allowed government supported automatic filing, then people would no longer be able to take advantage of the free filing program that Intuit offers to low income households. What they don't mention is that this free filing offer is used by significantly less than 5% of the eligible taxpayers. Probably because Intuit advertises it very little and within the product very heavily hints that you should switch to a paid product instead.