East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Marsha Blackburn have introduced the Fostering Autonomy in Independent Returns by Prohibiting Redundant and Extralegal Programs (FAIR PREP) Act. This legislation aims to terminate the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) "Direct File" tax filing program, which they argue was launched without congressional approval.

Risch stated, "The IRS’ Direct File program is costly, unnecessary, and unconstitutional." He emphasized that the FAIR PREP Act seeks to prevent the IRS from bypassing Congressional authority and allows taxpayers in Idaho to file their taxes independently.

Blackburn added, "By taking on the role of both tax preparer and tax auditor, the IRS created an undeniable conflict of interest when it circumvented Congress to establish the Direct File program." She highlighted that this legislation intends to stop the IRS from preparing tax returns without explicit legislative approval.

The bill is co-sponsored by several other U.S. Senators including Steve Daines, Thom Tillis, Pete Ricketts, Shelley Moore Capito, Roger Marshall, John Barrasso, Eric Schmitt, Bill Hagerty, and Kevin Cramer.

In 2024, under the Biden-Harris administration, the IRS initiated the Direct File program without congressional authorization. Approximately 140,000 taxpayers used this option out of an estimated 19 million eligible individuals. Despite low participation rates and objections from congressional Republicans as well as Attorneys General from 13 states who labeled it "unnecessary and unconstitutional," the IRS plans to make this program permanent.

The IRS estimates that maintaining this program could cost up to $249 million annually. A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office indicated that due to these costs, plans for hiring additional staff have been abandoned and resources are being reallocated within the agency.