US government promotes universal adoption of free e-tax filing system.

The IRS has been directed by Congress to explore the creation of a government-operated electronic free-file tax return system for all, which could be a free option for taxpayers in future years. The IRS will release the first in a series of reports next month looking into how it might be done. However, big tax preparation companies such as Intuit and H&R Block have spent millions of dollars lobbying against the idea, arguing that it could create a power imbalance between taxpayers and the government. Critics also voice skepticism about the IRS taking on the dual roles of both tax collector and tax preparer.