Bill Summary
This resolution acknowledges and supports the Free File program, a partnership between tax preparation software companies and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide free online tax preparation and filing services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. The program has been successful in saving taxpayers money, with over 53 million people using it since 2003 and saving over $1.6 billion in tax preparation fees. It also recognizes the program's collaboration with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which helps vulnerable populations with tax preparation. The resolution also highlights the program's efforts in fighting identity theft, as well as its promotion of consumer choice and strong cybersecurity protections. Overall, the resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the continued success of the Free File program.
Possible Impacts
1. The Free File program has made filing taxes more accessible and affordable for low- and moderate-income taxpayers, potentially reducing financial burdens for individuals and families who may struggle to pay for tax preparation services.
2. The program's focus on cybersecurity protections may help to prevent identity theft and fraud, providing a sense of security and peace of mind for individuals filing their taxes online.
3. The Free File program's collaboration with the IRS and other entities may have contributed to a decrease in identity theft and fraudulent tax returns, potentially protecting individuals from financial losses and other negative impacts.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 810 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 810
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Free File
program has made vital contributions to the public.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 27, 2020
Mr. Conaway (for himself and Mr. Butterfield) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Free File
program has made vital contributions to the public.
Whereas the Free File program is an innovative public-private partnership
between tax preparation software companies, also known as the Free File
Alliance, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free online
tax preparation and e-filing services to low- and moderate-income
taxpayers at no cost to the Government;
Whereas a recent independent study over the Free File program stated that this
critical public-private partnership provides ``substantial'' benefits,
and that without this partnership, the ``IRS would sustain prohibitive
costs in funding such a program itself, with added risk of competing
with a highly competitive private sector'';
Whereas 100,000,000 individuals, or 70 percent of taxpayers, are eligible to
qualify for the Free File program each year;
Whereas, since 2003, over 53,000,000 American taxpayers have filed their taxes
for free through the Free File program, saving them over $1,600,000,000
in tax preparation fees;
Whereas 22 States and the District of Columbia have also created their own Free
File program modeled after the IRS Free File Program;
Whereas the Free File program compliments other free tax preparation services,
such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, that work to
promote the welfare of our Nation's most vulnerable populations;
Whereas these populations that are impacted by VITA include those who are
disabled, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need
assistance in preparing their own tax returns;
Whereas the Free File program is featured on a wide range of tax preparation
products donated by the best known and most trusted industry-leading
private sector tax preparation companies;
Whereas through these donations, these companies allow taxpayers to choose who
they file with and promote competition within their industry;
Whereas the Free File program has also actively engaged in a collaborative
effort to fight stolen identity tax refund fraud through the IRS
Security Summit;
Whereas this summit consists of the IRS, State tax agencies, and various
entities from the tax industry;
Whereas the Security Summit consists of 6 working groups that address identity
theft, and in the first 2 years after the summit's establishment, the
number of reported identity theft victims fell by 65 percent, tax
returns with confirmed identity theft decreased, and the IRS withheld
$6,000,000,000 in fraudulent refunds; and
Whereas the benefits of the Free File program have shown that the Free File
program encourages consumer choice and savings for the Government, and
promotes strong cybersecurity protections for individuals filing a tax
return: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the vital
contributions the Free File program has made to the public and fully
supports the continued success of the program.
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