Finally, a bipartisan issue: Accepting money from lobbyists to block free tax-filing software

The House of Representatives passed a bill that should make for-profit tax-filing companies very happy. 

The Taxpayer First Act is a piece of legislation that makes changes to how the IRS functions, including better infrastructure for customer service and appeals. It has bipartisan support, and is the first legislative effort to improve the functioning of the IRS in 20 years.

However, within the bill is a misleading section about the "IRS Free File Program," as a ProPublica report points out. The IRS provides no-fee, free tax-filing software to people who make less than $66,000 a year; 70 percent of Americans are reportedly eligible for this program.  Read more...