Daniel Akaka: “I am delighted to reintroduce the Free Internet Filing Act as the tax filing deadline approaches. The bill requires the…”

“I am delighted to reintroduce the Free Internet Filing Act as the tax filing deadline approaches. The bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide universal access to individual taxpayers filing their tax returns directly through the IRS Web site. I thank Senator Bingaman for cosponsoring this bill and working with me on taxpayer rights issues. It is frustrating that individual taxpayers completing their own returns are still not able to electronically file directly with the IRS. Taxpayers are dependent on commercial preparers to electronically file their taxes. If taxpayers take the time necessary to prepare their returns by themselves, they must be given the option of electronically filing directly with the IRS. My legislation would make this direct filing possible. The current system, the Free File Alliance, provides only a select group of taxpayers with the ability to file electronically for free using third party intermediaries. The current Free File Alliance agreement is a failure because it leaves out too many taxpayers. Taxpayers that make more than $52,000 are not eligible. Taxpayers should not have the additional worry associated with sharing their private financial information with a tax preparation company. In an era when there have been so many electronic breaches of financial information, taxpayers should not be forced to hand over their private information if they want to electronically file their return with the IRS.”