Intuit is done doing you favors.
The financial software company behind TurboTax announced Thursday that, after October, it will no longer participate in the IRS's Free File program. That program offered Americans making less than $78,000 the opportunity to e-file their federal taxes, free of charge.
Intuit has a long and troubled history with the Free File program. In 2019, ProPublica reported that TurboTax intentionally hid its Free File webpage from search engines — and then advertised some of its paid tax products as "free" (but charged people who used them).
These questionable practices hurt real people. According to a 2020 audit by the Treasury Inspector General, "more than 14 million taxpayers met the Free File program criteria and may have paid a fee to e-file their Federal tax return in the 2019 Filing Season."
As ProPublica reported in 2019, TurboTax waged a sustained campaign to stop eligible Americans from filing their taxes online for free.
In other words, it sure seems like Intuit makes it its business to screw over taxpayers. But that's not how Intuit sees it. Rather, according to company, the decision to drop out of the Free File program is all about breaking free of the shackles of free tax filing.
"Without the limitations of the Free File program, Intuit can provide more financial benefits and empower Americans of all income levels to take control of their finances at a time they need it most," reads the company's statement.
Notably, Bloomberg Tax reported that H&R Block announced its intention to leave the Free File program in 2020.
Intuit, meanwhile, further explained in the most passive aggressive manner possible why it decided to leave the program.
SEE ALSO: Finally, a bipartisan issue: Accepting money from lobbyists to block free tax-filing software
"With the Free File program surpassing its founding goals of e-file and free tax preparation, and due to the limitations of the Free File program and conflicting demands from those outside the program, we are not able to continue in the program and deliver all of the benefits that can help consumers make more money, save more, and invest for the future," claims the company.
It looks like Americans will have to find a new way to overpay for the privilege of filing their taxes online.
(责任编辑：娛樂)
Daughter gives her 100
Great white shark greets Australian police at work on the water
Precious baby tree kangaroo takes first steps in the outside world
The price of Amazon Prime just went up $20Sound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac Efron17 questions you can answer if you're a good communicator
Whether you regularly speak in public and write online, or you mostly express yourself over email, b
...[详细]Equal access to business data gives women in tech an edge
This column is part of a series called "Voices of Women in Tech," created in collaboration with Anit
...[详细]Apple hires Samsung's Brandon Yoon in attempt to corner Korean market
Can Apple stay afloat in Samsung's home country? It's certainly trying. The tech company has hired a
...[详细]George R.R. Martin announces new book that isn't 'Winds of Winter'
At this point, it seems like winter may never actually come for A Song of Ice and Fire.George R.R. M
...[详细]When Honda revealed its stunning and grandparent-scaring Civic Hatchback Prototype earlier this year
...[详细]Mozilla gives iOS users more privacy control with tracking protection
As the good citizens of the internet become more and more woke as to how little of our activity onli
...[详细]Please take a moment to look at these dogs having fun with hoses and sprinklers
As warmer weather approaches, outdoor activities, such as watering plants and walking dogs, are beco
...[详细]5 questions Mark Zuckerberg should answer in front of Congress
Mark Zuckerberg is going to testify, but the question remains as to whether or not he'll really say
...[详细]This 'sh*tpost' bot makes terrible memes so you don't have to
The internet is awash in trashy memes just waiting for your late-night retweet spree. Why waste prec
...[详细]Janelle Monáe opens up about her sexuality in new 'Rolling Stone' interview
Janelle Monáe has been coy about her sexuality throughout her career, but before releasing he
...[详细]Tyler, the Creator helped Frank Ocean celebrate 'Blonde' release in a delicious way
Why does everyone who's ever ghosted me still watch my Instagram Stories?
