IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025. This could deal a massive blow to private tax filing services such as TurboTax

ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 1170 points –
IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025
apnews.com
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I’ll be the contrarian - this could be good for Intuit.

They were already forced to support free filing for simple returns. This IRS Direct File has similar eligibility, so Intuit already wasn’t making money off them, but now Intuit also doesn’t need the cost of scaling up for them

Intuit gets to take a bunch of freeloaders off their support costs, and can focus where their real profits are: people with more complex returns or higher income, that also don’t need an accountant

Intuit also gets to act less scammy. The only way they were making anything off those freeloaders was selling them things they don’t need

They made money off upselling people who thought it would be free. Or another way was to wait to tell them about the charges until you've spent a couple hours on the application. ...or the way they would sell you last years tax information back to you to save you a few hours filling out forms.

United states of monetization.

Well you can also do what I do which is select the most expensive options. Figure out everything then copy the details onto a free file option and never pay them.