That seems like an uncharitable characterization of a group that has argued for a simpler tax code with generally fewer loop holes (as opposed to an elaborate tax code that no one can understand, with a pre-filled form that in theory one could double check but in practice few would check).
"uncharitable characterization of a group that has argued for a simpler tax code with generally fewer loop holes"
Fewer loopholes for middle and lower class folks? Yes. Repealing the estate tax is very literally a new loophole that allows the rich to keep more money while closing that pesky mortgage interest deduction for the middle class. Taxes are just a way of redistributing money. Calling a party pro-tax because theyre moving the burden from one group to another is...interesting.
Can that possibly be true, if wealth distribution is unequal?
A pre-filled form will help every single one them to save money.
And you can still have your pre-filled form verify by an accountant or H&R Block. No one is stopping you from that.
You should listen to the latest Planet Money Podcast - Tax hero. Republican don't support this because having complicated form will make people oppose taxes in general. That is the republican motto.
Through the Free File Alliance, TurboTax and other such software is free for anyone making less than 66k.
Maybe this problem could be solved with education? I know there are also issues where people in poverty don’t file and then miss out on $1000s they might have gotten from the government via EITC.
We own a house, two high-tech incomes, and loads of 1099Bs to deal with. IOW, I can't imagine the tax situation of your employees is any more complicated than mine. In previous years, I could whip it out on a Saturday morning. This year, it was an hour of importing forms electronically, if that (umm, thanks, higher standard deduction?).
I'm not trying to take away from your point, I'm still chafed each year that I have to give money to TaxAct (at least they don't lobby for complicated taxes, AFAICT). But taxes aren't that complicated for simple situations. Maybe have an hour brownbag or something on "here's how to enter the control # off a W2 and import it. Import from Fidelity. Sorted."?
There's a lot of domain-specific knowledge that goes into filing your taxes, and it's easy to be afraid that you're gonna mess it up and be on the hook for thousands of dollars.