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First, you can still e-file for free. You just don't get any guidance on filling out the forms. Second, the reason it's this way...is because of the excessive

First, you can still e-file for free. You just don't get any guidance on filling out the forms. Second, the reason it's this way...is because of the excessive lobbying to keep it this way, of which Intuit is one of the largest players. In fact, there is no reason for the IRS not to just tell you "here is what we think you owe/should be refunded", and for you to say "Nope, here's why (and e-file relevant forms)", or "Yep, that's correct", except that lobbying has prevented it (well, and the last time it came up one of the two political parties was against it ostensibly because 'big government')

TillE 5y ago
> First, you can still e-file for free. Only for certain definitions of "you". All the available offers have various restrictions.
- teraflop 5y ago
  AFAIK there are no restrictions on who can use the IRS's Free Fillable Forms, though there are a few fairly obscure forms it doesn't support. https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-form...
  - sircastor 5y ago
    That’s correct. The filling is free for everyone. The tax preparation is not.