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H.R.2297 / 116th Congress

Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2019

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2019

Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2019

This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to establish and operate the following programs free of charge

online tax preparation and filing software,

a program for taxpayers to download third-party provided return information relating to individual income tax returns,

a program to permit individuals with simplified tax situations to elect to have the IRS prepare their returns, and

a program to provide technical assistance and disclose federal income tax return information to states that provide or seek to provide state-level tax filing and preparation software.

The IRS may not enter into any agreement that restricts its legal right to provide tax return preparation services, software, or tax return filing services.

Individuals participating in, or accessing information from, the programs established by this bill must verify their identity to the satisfaction of the IRS. The IRS may not employ knowledge-based verification procedures to verify the identity of the individuals.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30] · D–CA

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
9 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2297 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2297 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2297 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2297 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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