Casten Statement: Fighting for Free Tax Filing Services
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) issued the following statement on standing with taxpayers and fighting for free tax filing services. Casten came to Washington to be an independent voice in Congress.
Casten said, "This afternoon, the House passed H.R. 1957, the Taxpayer First Act passed by voice vote which means that no member went on the record to vote yes or no. Had this bill called for a recorded vote, I would have voted no. In the main, it is a good a bill and one that contains a number of important provisions and long-overdue reforms of benefit to American taxpayers.
The bill includes provisions to help protect low-income taxpayers from being bullied by private debt collectors whose abusive tactics have pressured citizens into skipping payment for necessities – such as rent or prescription drugs – to make payments to the IRS they simply cannot afford.
As good as the bill is in so many ways, I would have cast my no vote in light of one glaring flaw; the bill blocks advances that would enable millions of citizens to access free filing services. It prevents the IRS from creating free-filing assistance, developing its own tax preparation and filing software program, or providing pre-prepared returns for taxpayers who may wish to choose them. As a result of these provisions, millions of taxpayers will needlessly continue to pay for costly tax preparation services.
This is a gift to companies that provide tax filing services but a cost to over 70% of American tax filers who could auto-file but for this provision.
I am disappointed that the leadership of my Party chose to bring this to the Floor and pass it in a way that suggests a false unanimity. I would not have supported this bill as written and am disappointed that I was not given the opportunity to oppose, so as to compel a necessary correction.
I came to Washington to be an independent voice for the people of IL-06. That means standing up to bad policy and bad process, even if that means disagreeing with my own party. I will never back down when the moment arises to do what is right and I will continue to stand with my constituents."