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View Full Version : Proposal to Let IRS Prepare Tax Returns Raises Concern



red states rule
11-16-2011, 04:44 AM
So now the administration wants the IRS to do your taxes for you. So the Tax cheat running the Treasury Department will make sure your taxes are done as accurately as he did his own

Start looking for that change under the cushions -you will need it





The heightened focus in Washington over deficit reduction has stirred up talk about a languishing proposal that would allow the IRS to go ahead and prepare those tax returns for you.

The idea was pushed earlier this year by a Democratic congressman, who pitched it as a way for some filers to save time and money by letting the IRS do the heavy lifting when it comes to tax-return preparation.

But Republicans and advocacy groups warn it's a ploy to let the IRS charge filers more money (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/proposal-to-let-irs-prepare-tax-returns-raises-concern-as-dc-looks-under/#) in taxes. Critics of the policy are fairly confident the so-called deficit Super Committee will not ultimately include this proposal in any deficit-reduction plan -- that is, if the committee produces a plan. But they're not convinced the idea is dead, either.

"I'm sure it's been discussed" on the congressional Super Committee, said Ryan Ellis, tax policy director with the anti-tax-hike Americans for Tax Reform.

Last March, Rep. Jim Cooper (http://www.foxnews.com/topics/jim-cooper.htm#r_src=ramp), D-Tenn., introduced a bill that would institute such a program (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/proposal-to-let-irs-prepare-tax-returns-raises-concern-as-dc-looks-under/#) allowing the IRS to "do your paperwork." As Cooper pitched it, individuals who do not itemize would be eligible. Cooper's office estimated that about 40 million Americans could enroll, saving them $2 billion in preparation fees and millions of hours in preparation time.

Cooper spokesman Stephen George told FoxNews.com the program would be optional. And taxpayers (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/proposal-to-let-irs-prepare-tax-returns-raises-concern-as-dc-looks-under/#) could reserve the right to reject the IRS-prepared tax return and get it done themselves.

The idea has been touted in the past by Obama administration officials, including President Obama (http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/obama-administration/barack-obama.htm#r_src=ramp) himself. Cooper's proposal, though, hasn't gone far. It attracted zero co-sponsors and hasn't gotten out of committee.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/proposal-to-let-irs-prepare-tax-returns-raises-concern-as-dc-looks-under/

CSM
11-16-2011, 06:34 AM
Yeah, that would be awesome ... talk about the fox in the henhouse.

Shadow
11-16-2011, 09:33 AM
How many more taxes would we have to pay to fund that little project? Somehow I doubt it would save taxpayers any "money". Oh...wait...I just noticed...they only said "some" taxpayers anyway...it's all in the fine print.:rolleyes:

ConHog
11-16-2011, 01:05 PM
How many more taxes would we have to pay to fund that little project? Somehow I doubt it would save taxpayers any "money". Oh...wait...I just noticed...they only said "some" taxpayers anyway...it's all in the fine print.:rolleyes:

Some meaning no doubt the poor. God forbid they even be required to pay the $30 or whatever to file their taxes so that they can receive a "refund" that far exceeds how much they actually paid in.

logroller
11-16-2011, 03:43 PM
Some meaning no doubt the poor. God forbid they even be required to pay the $30 or whatever to file their taxes so that they can receive a "refund" that far exceeds how much they actually paid in.

The IRS already assists people with filing returns-- for free. If you're too lazy to go down to the tax center or too busy to wait-- then government A)keeps your money they should have returned or B)does them anyways and fines you. If your too lazy to take option A, then I've no issue with those opt for B. If the tax code is too complex for the average person to do without assistance-- there's another solution, simplify it!

ConHog
11-16-2011, 04:21 PM
The IRS already assists people with filing returns-- for free. If you're too lazy to go down to the tax center or too busy to wait-- then government A)keeps your money they should have returned or B)does them anyways and fines you. If your too lazy to take option A, then I've no issue with those opt for B. If the tax code is too complex for the average person to do without assistance-- there's another solution, simplify it!

I would have no problem with simplifying the tax code. As in no more income tax. Straight sales tax.

red states rule
11-17-2011, 03:11 AM
How many more taxes would we have to pay to fund that little project? Somehow I doubt it would save taxpayers any "money". Oh...wait...I just noticed...they only said "some" taxpayers anyway...it's all in the fine print.:rolleyes:

I am sure the IRS will have to hire more workers to handle the increased work load. Perhaps a new builiding as well

A couple hundred million a year easy