More Free Stuff The Taxpayers Can Pay For

Congratulations. Today is April 15th, Income Tax day. Tax Freedom Day this year is April 24th. Tax Freedom Day is the day Americans stop working to pay the government and begin working to pay themselves. The tax code has become so ridiculous that many Americans use a computer program or an accountant to file their taxes. TurboTax and other tax services profit mightily because of our ridiculous tax system. The Tax Code is a tribute to the lobbying efforts of special interests. It is the crowning achievement of the Washington establishment.

Meanwhile, Washington wants to make it better. The American Thinker posted an article today stating that Senator Elizabeth Warren wants to make filing your taxes free for Americans.

The article reports:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren says taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for tax software. She has the support of other liberal Democrats. She has introduced a bill that would require the IRS to make available a “free” online filing option to some taxpayers. She doesn’t mention that taxpayers will have to pay for the development and continuing maintenance of this system through higher taxes. So it won’t be free. Rather it will be a system the cost of which is hidden in the fine print of the federal budget. Never mind that TurboTax and other software companies now offers a no-cost option for a majority of taxpayers. Sen. Warren says TurboTax keeps it secret: a secret known only to the 3 million people who use it and to millions of others who know about it but choose not to use it. The IRS website has a direct link to the free software. The various software companies also have links from their websites. Wouldn’t it be simple if Sen. Warren were to promote the existing free system? Who believes that a system developed by the IRS would be easier to use?

At least TurboTax and other private businesses have an interest in protecting the taxpayers’ identity. Recent testimony on Capitol Hill indicates that the federal government is not doing a very good job of that.

The article concludes:

Senator Warren also wants the IRS to send some taxpayers a “completed” federal return which the taxpayers can sign and file. You can be sure that there will be no promise that the taxpayers who accept this option will be exempt from subsequent audits that can lead to additional taxes, penalties, and even prison. Who believes that the IRS will work to minimize the taxes on the returns it prepares? Will the IRS encourage contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts? Will the IRS help taxpayers avoid ever increasing penalties imposed on taxpayers by ObamaCare? Will the IRS recommend investing in tax-exempt bonds to save taxes? What about itemized deductions?

I don’t think anyone believes that the IRS will adapt to a role where it advocates for taxpayers in place of its traditional role of tax enforcer and collector.

When will Americans learn that nothing from the government is free? The government has no money except that which it takes from Americans. We need to realize that before we are totally bankrupt.