Tired of tax prep companies gouging you every year? There's a better option:

Friend, tax filing could be free [right now](. The IRS already has the authority to create a free, easy-to-use online tax filing tool. Instead, Americans will spend approximately $31 billion this year for the privilege of paying services like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and H&R Block to file for them. [Sign if you agree: Tax prep should be easy and free.]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( The government likely already knows how much you make before you file your taxes — your employer has provided the IRS with a copy of your W-2s and 1099s. The agency could just send you a pre-filled out tax form based on information they already have. However, tax prep corporations, like Intuit and H&R Block, have lobbied to stop the IRS from providing an easy way for millions of taxpayers to file online for free — a service many other countries provide. Billion dollar corporations brokered a sweetheart deal, promising to offer low-income taxpayers free software in exchange for the IRS not making a free filing program of its own. These corporations then made the "free" options difficult to use by [deploying deceptive design and misleading tactics]( to steer low-income filers to paid versions of their service when they are eligible to file for free. There is no reason to spend money on stressful activity when the government already knows what they need to know — we should just be able to confirm (or amend) it. Both the Biden administration and Congress have the ability to change this. Previous outcries have led to federal and state investigations, lawsuits, and small reforms. We still have a long way to go, and with tax season coming to an end, and the ultra-rich and wealthy corporations still not paying their fair share, it's time to increase the pressure once more. [Sign if you agree: Tax prep should be easy and free.]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( Keep fighting, Monique Teal, Daily Kos P.S. Tax filers can use Code for America’s free virtual tax filing service, [Get Your Refund]( to file their own tax return or get help from an IRS-certified volunteer. It will be available until October 15, 2022. Daily Kos Relies on Readers Like You We don't have billionaire backers like some right-wing media outlets. Half our revenue comes from readers like you, meaning we literally couldn't do this work without you. Can you chip in $5 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? [Chip in $5]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](). To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.