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	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/tell-your-governor-opt-in-to-irs-direct-file?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-tell-your-governor-opt-in-to-irs-direct-file' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "CHN Action",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/coalition-on-human-needs",
	"title": "Tell your governor: Opt in to IRS Direct File",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
	"description": "American taxpayers spend around 2 billion hours and more than $30 billion on tax preparation fees each year. The burden on this falls disproportionately on low-income taxpayers who are then preyed upon by tax preparation companies who offer a “free” option, but often end up charging $200 or more. For the first time, in 2024, the IRS offered a free, online tax filing system known as Direct File in a dozen states. Due to the massive success of the Direct File program, the IRS has now invited all 50 states to join. Participating in Direct File means taxpayers would have a free public option for online tax filing software. And it would mean that fewer people would be stuck paying exorbitant fees to tax preparation companies. States need to opt in so that taxpayers can use this free option for their state and federal taxes. For years, tax preparation companies like TurboTax and H&amp;amp;R Block have used duplicitous means to mislead taxpayers, like hiding Free File from online search engines and creating their own “free” edition of their software that tricked consumers and often led them to pay as much as $200 in a single tax filing season. Last year it was revealed that TaxAct, H&amp;amp;R Block, TaxSlayer, and other online tax preparers were sharing taxpayers’ sensitive financial data with Google and Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram)―in direct violation of taxpayer privacy laws. It is critical for states to coordinate with the IRS Direct Filing system to seamlessly file federal and state taxes. Not only would it be more convenient for taxpayers, but by having to file state returns separately, it would force taxpayers to continue to go back to H&amp;amp;R Block, TurboTax, and others. Click “Start Writing” to send a message to your governor, telling them to opt in to the Direct File program today. If you live in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming, then Direct File was available to taxpayers in your state this past tax filing season. We have provided a thank you message for you to share with your governor.",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-governor-opt-in-to-irs-direct-file"
}