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IRS has launched its free tax filing service, Direct File, in 12 states (arstechnica.com)

submitted 6 months ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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"Direct File provides a free, secure option for taxpayers with simple tax situations in 12 states to file their taxes directly with the IRS," the Treasury Department said. "Direct File is easy to use, with no hidden junk fees, and works as well on a smartphone as it does on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Direct File shows taxpayers the math so they can be sure that their return is accurate, and they are getting the refund they are entitled to."

You can check whether you qualify to use the system at directfile.irs.gov. Based on the eligibility restrictions in the IRS program, the Treasury Department said it "estimates that one-third of all federal income tax returns filed could be prepared using Direct File."

But there are many limits that would prevent taxpayers from using the system.

What you can and can’t file

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[–] verdantbanana@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

the US thinks if it fixes a problem that all fifty states have but only fix it in a handful of states that it has solved the problem one hundred percent

meanwhile the citizens go "We have to start somewhere this is a great thing!" and the leaders never get criticized sometimes the opposite people vote them back in

then that is all you hear until the issues reach critical because everything was quarter assed at best

this is how abortion, cannabis, all kinds of insurances, education, food assistance, etcetera already are played in the US

and at that point the citizens and the states are to blame for why things suck so hard

"well they should have voted better over there it is their faults that state sucks!"

which drives us further from solutions

[–] b1g_bake@sh.itjust.works 33 points 6 months ago (1 children)

To your first point. This more closely follows current software development methods. Get the core service stood up and out to a set of users, then flesh out the more advanced features. Most of the states in the first round have no state income tax to deal with.

[–] OsaErisXero@kbin.run 8 points 6 months ago (1 children)

This. Usually we're bitching about the feds just ignoring basic development principles and making shit up as they go along like there wasn't 30 years of hard learned lessons to lean on; this is the first time I can think of where what they're doing actually makes some sense.

[–] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 6 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

After the rough healthcare.gov opening, Obama started a couple of initiatives to work with software devs to bring more modern software practices into goverment, including starting some "software incubator, but for goverment" style groups.

This is likely a direct result from that effort.

[–] b1g_bake@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 months ago

That was one of the prime examples of why the gov is starting small and staging rollout