Wyden Open to Cutting Free File Provision to Break Bill Logjam

Removing a controversial provision from a stalled tax administration bill may be a good path forward, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said.

A provision in the House-passed bill (H.R. 1957) codifying the IRS Free File program has brought the bill’s progress to a halt in the chamber. Democrats are concerned the provision could keep the Internal Revenue Service from ever offering its own free-filing service, a concern that deepened as ProPublica released a series of stories revealing how tax preparation companies shield free options from consumers.

“We’re certainly looking at a variety of approaches and ...