On ABC News I found an article about how the IRS and Free File Alliance are helping tax payers get e-filing software. The article is titled Tax Software 2008: A Big E-File Freebie. There are many companies that offer programs and assistance to help with stressful taxes. However, the IRS is offering E-filing for free. The goal is to have as many tax payers file their tax returns electronically rather than paper mailing them in. It cost $2.87 to process paper returns and only 87 cents to process them electronically. E-filing will save the IRS a lot of money; however along with the money saver it will also improve public relations with the tax payers greatly. Who wouldn’t want free help to do their taxes? Last year there was a record turnout of 60% of tax returns being electronic. There are still a lot of people that file their taxes on paper and the IRS is coming up with plans to help change that. Right now all tax payers that earn a yearly income of $56,000 or below can receive the free e-filing through the IRS. The plan is to make the income higher so more people will be able to receive it as well. Also, there has been discussion that if you file electronically the due date could be extended passed April 15th.
I think the IRS has a good strategy overall. I know that their main goal is to save money, however those who receive free e-filing will definitely view the IRS in a better way. Most of the time if the IRS is in the news it isn’t good news. Stories about people getting arrested for lying on their taxes or the IRS taking everything a family has and leaving them completely broke. This e-filing plan is a great public relations improver. I also think that people will like the extended tax due dates if that is put in place.
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I feel that this is a great idea for the IRS. It seems to be working so far and why not make it easy for everyone to file their taxes and save money at the same time. I've never had to file for taxes and Im not looking forward to it. But after reading how the IRS is making it easier and cheapter to do it, Im not all that worried about it anymore. This is a great way for the IRS to get people to look at them in a new way.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you brought this article to everyone’s attention. Not only should people immediately put a Post-It note on their tax return folder to ask for e-filing, they should also look at how they receive all their tax documents.
ReplyDeleteA lot of places are now offering their W2s and interest statements in an electronic format. Just last week, I received a PR piece from my student loan provider, letting me know that my tax information was now available online.
This article was a great example of two things that are very near and dear to my heart; PR and being eco-friendly! When we can take the information provided to us via a PR specialist and use it to be a little more green, that’s a good day!
GREAT FIND ERICA!! I mean, I didn't know anything about this and it's definitely going to be a saver for many people. It's about time the IRS does something besides audit people!
ReplyDeleteThe world is becoming more and more electronically based and that's a great thing, however, it might become a little dangerous. I mean, we lose the ability to communicate person to person, face to face and that could seriously damage us as a race. Now, I'm not saying it doesn't have its advantages i mean think of all the paper we save and the time as well. However, to every thing, good or bad, there is an equal and opposite side.
I have heard on the radio that a record amount of people filed taxes electronically last year than in any year before. I am almost positive that'll be the same case.
ReplyDeleteI for one, let my parents take my tax return information in to H & R Block, and I'm sure that within time I will more than likely switch to doing them electronically as well. But for now, I'd rather that they be done by someone that knows what they're doing!
But very good thing that the IRS is trying to help. Kind of makes them look like big ol' cheap-os, but what can you do about it?
The IRS, whether it is deserved or not, have a very poor public image. Using technology to introduce the public to a knew way to not only make it easier to file but also to receive their money faster is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe general public knows very little about what the IRS does and what they mean to their country. If people are going to the IRS website to learn more about e-filing and to get the free software, they may also take time to look around the site and learn even more.