ICYMI: Senator Coons pushes back on tax filing companies, highlights new bill to make filing taxes easier and free in News Journal op-ed

WILMINGTON, Del. - In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) published an op-ed in The News Journal highlighting his new Direct File Act that would allow Americans to file their taxes for free and more easily, rather than having to use expensive, time-consuming e-filing programs run by tax preparation companies. Senator Coons' bill is based on the Direct File program, an IRS pilot program that the Trump administration shut down last year.

The News Journal: Delawareans deserve to file their taxes quickly and free

In the piece, Senator Coons explained that the Direct File program made it easier and cheaper for Americans with straightforward finances to file their taxes directly with the IRS, without having to pay private tax preparation companies.

"On average, Americans spend $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes. That's just nuts. You should be able to file your taxes quickly and for free, and that's the simple idea behind my new Direct File Act," Senator Coons wrote.

Senator Coons highlighted the program's early success, noting that it saved taxpayers money and made filing easier for hundreds of thousands of Americans.

"The program worked. Last year, hundreds of thousands of Americans used it. It saved the average person as much as $160, and 90% had an above-average or excellent experience. Three out of four users said it was easier than anything they'd tried before. And many were able to do their taxes in less than an hour. How many government services can you say that about?"Senator Coons wrote.

Senator Coons also pushed back on the Trump administration's decision to shut down the program, arguing that Direct File was a smart investment that saved taxpayers far more than it cost.

"The program costs about $41 million a year, which is far less than the estimated $148 billion we spend out of pocket each year to make sure we're complying with the tax code. Spending a few million to save taxpayers a hundred billion strikes me as a pretty good use of federal resources," Senator Coons wrote.

He argued that at a time when Delawareans are already feeling squeezed by high costs, Americans should not have to pay more just to file their taxes.

"You should keep more of what you earn. That's why I wrote this new bill to bring back Direct File and make your taxes free again. And I'll keep standing up for you and for a fair tax season in Washington," Senator Coons concluded.

You can read the full op-ed here.