Taxes
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Direct File is 'beloved by its users,' internal IRS report says
The IRS is reportedly ending the Direct File, but a report obtained via the Freedom of Information Act says that 94% of users rated their experience as “excellent” or “above average.”
Survey: Time, cost and complexity prevent some from filing taxes altogether
The findings come as U.S. lawmakers are poised to end the Direct File program, which offers Americans a free, online tax filing service directly with the government.
Ending Direct File could have downstream impacts for states, experts worry
Without the free, government-backed tax filing service, state agencies could see their modernization and efficiency gains unraveled, those experts say.
Cryptocurrency tax revenue negligible since launch of Colorado program
In the more than two years that Colorado has accepted cryptocurrency as payment for state taxes, the amount it has received is negligible.
Minnesota Senate Democrats propose new tax on social media companies
Some Minnesota lawmakers are proposing a first-in-the-nation tax on large social media companies that collect data on consumers in the state.
New Jersey turns to Direct File to make tax filing easier for older adults
The Garden State is one of several that are now making retirees eligible for the federal Direct File program.
States face an elevated risk of tax fraud due to data breaches, report says
Tech and data aren’t the only tools governments have to detect and mitigate fraud, one expert said.
Filing taxes is hard. Here’s how agencies could help make it easier for residents.
As states increasingly turn to developing free, online tax filing tools for residents, civic tech experts said improving usability and experience is key.
IRS Direct File to open a week after Trump’s inauguration
Republicans on Capitol Hill have asked the incoming president to scrap the free tax filing service developed during the Biden administration.
Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File
The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.
Featured eBooks
How tougher regulations on short-term rentals can boost revenue for state, local govs
Some short-term rental properties go undetected by authorities, but a new report offers tips on how officials can crack down on unregulated rental units to boost revenue and reduce their negative impacts on communities.
Going into 2025, cities plan for leaner budgets
A survey of city finance officials found that at least half are wary of the coming year and are forecasting more conservative revenue estimates.
Oregon could become the first state to tax big companies and send the cash to all residents
Some opponents say the rebate will drive up consumer costs far more than sales taxes would.
Soda tax revenues are falling in some cities. That can be a good and bad thing.
Tax soda, and people drink less of it. But successful soda taxes can create problems for the public health and development programs they support.
Time to reset the transportation funding equation
COMMENTARY | The way the nation funds our transportation network is broken. The solutions to fix it already exist. State and local governments just need to pick one.
Democrats cast doubt on whether the ‘Montana Miracle’ is making housing affordable
Gov. Greg Gianforte spearheaded a bipartisan and widely applauded effort to make it easier to build homes, but his Democratic opponent says housing shortages and high property taxes are still hammering Montana residents.
Tax the sale of guns and ammo? Voters in this state are set to decide.
A ballot measure in Colorado is the only one on guns before voters this year. The effort is part of a broader trend to expand excise taxes.
The IRS has made its free tax filing tool permanent. Now, these states want to take it a step further.
Maryland and North Carolina are the latest to join Direct File. They are also planning to allow taxpayers to seamlessly file their state returns alongside their federal ones. It’s a new frontier for tax filing tools, experts say.
Ballots in two cities aim to keep soda taxes from falling flat
Taxing sugary drinks can raise cities’ revenue and improve people’s health, according to research. But state restrictions and industry pushback have stalled such taxes. Can two ballot measures change that?
Inside the tricky politics of special legislative sessions
Governors in several states are trying to get their priorities passed before the November election.
