Filing taxes is a pain in the you-know-what

Each year, taxpayers spend an average of 13 hours preparing their taxes – and an average of $200 on tax preparation services and software. It’s crazy. Why is it so expensive and complicated to do your taxes? Back in 1998, a Republican Congress passed – and President Clinton signed – a bill requiring the IRS to implement a simple “return-free” filing system by 2008. This system would give taxpayers the option of receiving tax returns already filled out for them with the information the IRS already has on hand. But nearly a decade after that system should have been completed, the Treasury Department still hasn’t fulfilled its legal obligation. Instead, the IRS surrendered to pressure from the tax preparation industry – giant, powerful companies that make a lot of money off of complicated tax forms. Year after year, the IRS signs contracts with these private companies, agreeing not to create a free, online tax return preparation and filing service – even though it could save taxpayers time and money. And to make sure the IRS keeps tax filing difficult, the tax preparation industry spends millions of dollars lobbying Congress to block return-free filing systems. The government works for American taxpayers – not for the tax preparation industry. That’s why I’m introducing the Tax Filing Simplification Act to help people file their taxes with less stress & fewer costs. My new bill – cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey, Patrick Leahy, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tom Udall, Jeanne Shaheen, Al Franken, and Tammy Baldwin – makes commonsense changes to the tax filing process: It prohibits the IRS from making agreements with the tax preparation industry to restrict its ability to provide free, online tax preparation or filing services.   It directs the IRS to develop a free, online tax and filing service directly with the federal government, instead of being forced to share your private information with a third-party. It allows all taxpayers to download third-party-provided tax information that the IRS already has about you (like your W2 and 1099 income information) into a software program of your choice. It creates a return-free option for those with simple tax situations, where the IRS would send qualified people pre-filled tax forms explaining how much you owe or how much you’ll be refunded, which taxpayers could then review, sign and file.   Dozens of the country’s top law professors and economists have already supported this new bill, calling it “a much-needed improvement to our current system.” And Senator Sanders isn't the only Presidential candidate who backs the bill. Secretary Hillary Clinton also supports it, saying: “This important piece of legislation will help us build a better, fairer tax system.” Will you join them? Please sign up now to tell Congress: Don’t bow to the interests of the tax preparation industry. Support the Tax Filing Simplification Act to make it easier for Americans to file their taxes. Thanks for being a part of this – and don’t forget to file your taxes! Elizabeth

Minimum Wage

Senator Tom Udall has always been one of those guys in a white hat, supporting measure for Americans.

Please add your name to his petition below to support raising the minimum wage.
It's only fair.

Tom Udall

I believe if you work forty hours a week in America, you should be able to provide the essentials for your family. But right now, those making the federal minimum wage don’t earn enough to keep their family of four above the poverty line. That’s why I’m gathering signatures to raise the federal minimum wage. Join my petition to Congress.

Petition

Republican Extremism.....

There are heroes opposing the Republican Extremist Agenda....Medicare is a solvent program that provides health care....even has a surplus.

Tom Udall · Suggested Post

 The Ryan Plan passed in the House. It dismantles Medicare. Help stop this agenda.

http://www.tomudall.com/landing/w1305rpf/?subsource=ckdnactbo02

End the GOP Gridlock

If you watched the GOP Tactics in the last Congress, the Filibuster was employed as obstruction to avoid helping the American people move forward, find jobs and improve the economy.

The GOP Tactics were employed for the sole purpose of denying President Obama a second term which Senator Scott Brown joined.

How'd that work out for you?

American voters have spoken.  

Let's unite behind the idea of restoring jobs, economic growth and progress to benefit all Americans.

Below is an email from our newest Massachusetts Senator, the first woman to represent Massachusetts in a truly proud moment -- Please join with others calling for an end to the GOP gridlock --


What did the filibuster cost in the past two years?

• We had a majority to vote for three jobs bills.
• We had a majority to vote for the DREAM Act.
• We had a majority to vote for campaign finance reform.
• We had a majority to vote for equal pay for equal work.

Every one of these laws was stopped dead by the filibuster.

Hard-working families are fed up -- and the Republicans know it. That's why they're pushing hard to stop filibuster reform in its tracks.

We can't give in. Join me, Senators Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall, the Daily Kos community, and thousands of your fellow citizens in standing up for real reform of the filibuster.

Let's be clear: The reforms don't eliminate the filibuster. Instead, they just make it necessary for someone to stand and talk through their objections -- out in plain view for everyone to see.

The reforms are about making the filibuster an extraordinary measure rather than a routine no-business-gets-done.

We need to put an end to the aggressive obstruction that has paralyzed the Senate. If someone objects to a bill or a nomination in the United States Senate, they should have to stand on the floor of the chamber and defend their opposition.

Nobody gets elected to the Senate to go down there and play politics. We're here to do the people's business.

Show your support for filibuster reform before our first vote next week.

Thank you for being a part of this,

Elizabeth