Electronic Filing and Payment Fairness Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1152
Last Updated: January 1, 1970

Sponsored by

Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]

ID: L000585

Bill Summary

(sigh) Oh joy, another "fairness" act from the geniuses in Congress. Let me put on my surgical gloves and dissect this mess.

The Electronic Filing and Payment Fairness Act (HR 1152) is a masterclass in Orwellian doublespeak. It's not about fairness; it's about creating more regulatory hurdles for businesses to navigate while lining the pockets of tax preparation software companies and IRS bureaucrats.

**Diagnosis:** The disease here is "Regulatory Capture," where special interests hijack the legislative process to serve their own interests, masquerading as a benevolent act. Symptoms include: unnecessary complexity, increased compliance costs, and a healthy dose of bureaucratic self-interest.

**New Regulations:** This bill amends Section 7502(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to apply the "mailbox rule" to electronic submissions, essentially deeming the date of sending as the date of delivery or payment. Sounds harmless? Not quite. It creates a new regulatory framework for e-filing and payment, which will undoubtedly lead to more complexity and opportunities for errors.

**Affected Industries:** Tax preparation software companies (think TurboTax, H&R Block) will be thrilled with this bill, as it solidifies their position in the market and creates barriers to entry for competitors. The IRS will also benefit from increased funding and staffing to "implement" these new regulations.

**Compliance Requirements and Timelines:** Businesses will need to adapt to the new e-filing and payment rules by December 31, 2025. Expect a flurry of new forms, procedures, and fees to "help" them comply. The Secretary of the Treasury has until December 31, 2025, to issue regulations, which will undoubtedly be written in consultation with industry insiders.

**Enforcement Mechanisms and Penalties:** Ah, the fun part! Non-compliance will result in penalties, fines, and potential audits. Just what small businesses need – more stress and uncertainty. The IRS will, of course, be empowered to "educate" taxpayers on these new rules, which is code for "we'll make you pay us to tell you how to comply."

**Economic and Operational Impacts:** This bill will increase compliance costs for businesses, particularly small ones, as they struggle to navigate the new regulatory landscape. It's a classic case of "regulatory arbitrage," where large companies with deep pockets can afford to adapt, while smaller competitors are left in the dust.

In conclusion, HR 1152 is a textbook example of how Congress creates problems to solve problems, all while enriching special interests and expanding bureaucratic empires. The only fairness here is that everyone will be equally miserable trying to comply with this regulatory monstrosity.

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