Now That The Intuit Discussion Is Locked . . .

[BobKamman]

Some interesting history about why IRS does not have its own online 1040 filing system:

The back story as to why IRS failed to develop its own system is interesting. A 2001 Washington Post article, IRS Told Its Efforts May Step on Toes Of Private Industry, discusses Republican efforts to ensure that the IRS did not offer a true government housed online filing portal.

Those 2001 efforts to jettison a true government housed online filing portal were championed by then Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham of California, whose district was home to Intuit. Representative Cunningham, who later pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax fraud, was called by the San Diego Tribune in Corruption and lava lamps: The saga of Randy ‘Duke’ Cunningham as “not just the most corrupt member of Congress when he was convicted in 2005. He also was one of the more colorful Capitol Hill criminals — in a most sad and tawdry way.” (As the Tribune piece discusses, Trump pardoned Cunningham in one of his last acts as President).

This is from today’s Procedurally Taxing blog, which has the links to the cited articles:

https://procedurallytaxing.com/momentum-possibly-building-for-irs-to-provide-online-filing-options-f...