sorenspicknall.bsky.social profile picture

Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social

Treasury is required to produce a report to Congress related to Direct File, the free tax filing option that the current administration intends to kill. They've created a survey with a bunch of leading questions. The survey deserves some responses supportive of the program to counteract its framing:

IR-2025-85, Aug. 21, 2025 — The IRS invites the public to participate in an anonymous feedback survey on tax preparation and filing options, which will run through Sept. 5, 2025.

IRS asks for public input on free tax filing options to inform congressional report | Internal Revenue Service

IR-2025-85, Aug. 21, 2025 — The IRS invites the public to participate in an anonymous feedback survey on tax preparation and filing options, which will run through Sept. 5, 2025.

Replies

  1. rorigreen.bsky.social profile picture

    Rori Green @rorigreen.bsky.social

    Huh. I filled it in truthfully, but how can they even tell if you are an actual US tax payer from this? I am filling it in from NZ--often these sorts of surveys are geo blocked.

    1
  4. msnaught.bsky.social profile picture

    @msnaught.bsky.social

    Found it interesting the last question didn't specify "run by the IRS" or "run by a private company" like the earlier questions 🤨

    0
  9. loriaustex.bsky.social profile picture

    Lori Witzel @loriaustex.bsky.social

    Completed - but daaaang those are some push-poll style leading Qs in there. I’d encourage my neighbors in #portland #oregon who want to see the #IRS Direct File program continue to jump in there and reply in ways that might help.

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  10. jackmoli.bsky.social profile picture

    @jackmoli.bsky.social

    Republicans: “Nobody likes simple to use tools provided by the government to help them do their taxes! You LOVE paying TurboTax $150 extra for no fucking reason, don’t you!?!”

    0
  12. whyisthat.bsky.social profile picture

    Wait, what?! @whyisthat.bsky.social

    Did the survey. States have had this option already. DOL has our data and it is the IRS data who you are being compared against. You would just verify your data and deductions you know about. I would make it give all deductions applicable instead of now where you lose it if you didn't know about it.

    0
  17. sorenspicknall.bsky.social profile picture

    Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social

    These survey responses are unlikely to change Treasury's current course, but they become part of the public record and can be used as political ammunition. Comment mechanisms like this often help justify future policy action by proving there's active public interest in a certain course of action.

    2
  19. tymcbray.bsky.social profile picture

    Ty McBrayer @tymcbray.bsky.social

    So it costs the IRS $10-20 to process a return. I’d call that a bargain, and there are likely good economic trade offs for the IRS to continue a direct file program. I remember having to call the IRS with questions. That was loony tunes.

    2
  20. shmark007.bsky.social profile picture

    Sakkt @shmark007.bsky.social

    I prepare taxes. I wholly support a free online option. 100%! I filled out the survey. People should be able to choose to fill out and file their own taxes for FREE. (Rant about how US tax returns have more to do with social expectations than $$) 🤬

    0
  22. dirtydeeds.bsky.social profile picture

    DirtyDeeds @dirtydeeds.bsky.social

    So funny to me that they have a whole shpiel whining that it would cost money if you ask for an IRS-run free file. We're the ones paying you fuckfaces, get over it. Maybe send fewer billions to Israel if you're antsy about the price?

    0
  24. lwhb.bsky.social profile picture

    @lwhb.bsky.social

    They're just trying to line the pockets of some millionaire or billionaire with this move. They appear to want to monetize the heck out of any government function🤬

    0
  25. ylookup.bsky.social profile picture

    @ylookup.bsky.social

    Just filled it out and re-posted. $10-20 pp for a tax service paid for by us, the taxpayers, seems like a really great value!

    0
  27. debraelfenbein.bsky.social profile picture

    Debra Elfenbein @debraelfenbein.bsky.social

    The survey was as loaded and manipulative, cynical and untrustworthy, dangerous and cruel as every Trump campaign/university/steak/water/sneakers/other solicitation, ever. It was really frightening to read the survey.

    0
  29. sillysarge.bsky.social profile picture

    Sarge @sillysarge.bsky.social

    I am not completing any survey, form or answer any questions during this administration. Trying to stay far under the radar. BIG NOPE! 🫥

    1