Pagezt Bond Michelle From: Corbin Kenneth Sent: Monday, May 13, 2019 12:03 PM To: 'Tim Hugo' Subject: Free File Hi Tim, Numerous members of Congress have written to Commissioner Rettig to express concern about various aspects ofthe Free File program. To build on the positive steps taken this past fall, the IRS and FFI need to outline a path forward that better safeguards taxpayers and better enhances awareness of Free File in general. Thank you for agreeing to dedicate the necessary time to this topic during the meeting between the IRS and FFI on May 20 and your letter to the IRS last week. Jim Clifford, the Director of our Customer Account Services organization will attend as my representative. To ensure that time is as productive as possible, lwanted to encourage you and your members to think about concrete steps that can address the issues raised by the article. We have informed members of Congress that we are conducting a review ofthe Free File Memorandum of Understanding and will provide them with the results within 30 days. In the review to Congress, we will make note of the May 20 work session to help move the program to a better place. The IRS has long been supportive ofthe public-private sector partnership embodied by Free File Inc, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve the IRSgov/Free File program. Thanks in advance. Internal Revenue Service I Office Number (470) 639-3500l Fax Number 855-863?8342 Pagez1 Bond Michelle From: Tim Hugo Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2019 10:16 PM To: Corbin Kenneth Lemons Terry Cc: Fox Diane - ATSC Subject: FFA: Letter to Commissioner Rettig Regarding the Free File Program Attachments: May 9, 2019 FFA Letter to Commissioner Rettigpdf Ken and Terry, Attached is a letter to Commissioner Rettig that FFA respectively requests be forwarded to him regarding the Free File Program. Thank you for forwarding this letter to the Commissioner and his of?ce. Regards, Tim Hugo Executive Director Free File Alliance TimHugo Page:2 free file?) in? Mar new wag. Transmitted Via Email May 9, 2019 The Honorable Charles P. Rettig Commissioner Internal Revenue Service 11 1 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20224 Dear Commissioner Rettig: On behalf ofFree File, Inc., I am writing to you today to express my strong agreement with the Chairman and Ranking Member ofthe Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, that the IRS conduct a review of the IRS Free File Program and broaden its review to examine the marketing of the Program, its oversight, and additional opportunities to increase participation in the Program. Free File, Inc., will be pleased to provide you and your staff with information and data that provides an accurate assessment ofthe Program, and re?ects its bene?ts to taxpayers year over year. As partner in the Free File Program for the past 17 years, Free File, Inc., and its members are proud ofthe fact that we have helped prepare and electronically file more than 55 million free federal income tax returns since the Program?s inception, saving those low and middle-income taxpayers who are eligible under the Program an estimated $1.6 billion in tax preparation and filing fees. In addition, Free File members have provided millions of free state tax returns, as well. While we should and must explore opportunities for increasing participation in the Free File Program, it must be noted that over the last two tax seasons (2018-19) the Program usage has grown by 11 percent. Unfortunately, many ofthe recent allegations about Free File member companies are inaccurate, baseless or taken out of context to portray the Program and Free File members in the worst possible light. Free File, Inc., cannot answer for each member company, but we can answer for the Alliance and the Program. We look forward to a sober, probative examination ofthe Program and how it might be improved and strengthened for the future. Sincerely, may Tim Hugo Executive Director, Free File, Inc. Honorable Richard E. Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means The Honorable Kevin Brady, Ranking Member, Committee on Ways and Means The Honorable John Lewis, Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight The Honorable Mike Kelly, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight Stephen M. Ryan, General Counsel, Free File 7137 Main Street, Suite Clifton, Virginia 20124 Telephone: 703?815?1201 Page11 Bond Michelle From: Lemons Terry Sent: Friday, May 10, 2019 6:58 PM To: Tim Hugo; Corbin Kenneth Cc: Fox Diane ATSC Subject: RE: FFA: Letter to Commissioner Rettig Regarding the Free File Program Tim - FYI, we have shared with the Commissioner. Thanks! From: Tim Hugo Sent: Friday, May 10, 2019 8:02 PM To: Lemons Terry Cc: Corbin Kenneth Fox Diane - ATSC Subject: Re: FFA: Letter to Commissioner Rettig Regarding the Free File Program Terry, Thank you to you, Ken, and all ofthe outstanding professionals at the IRS. The FFA looks forward to working with you in the coming weeks to answer these media questions. Tim Hugo FFA On Fri, May 10, 2019, 6:57 PM Lemons Terry wrote: Tim - we have shared with the Commissioner. Thanks! 3 From: Tim Hugo Date: Thursday, May 09, 2019, 10:16 PM i To: Corbin Kenneth on behalf of tim.hugo@capnet.org Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 11:02 PM To: Corbin Kenneth Subject: Accepted: FFA Offered Improvements 2019 Thu Oct 18, 2018 3pm 4pm (EDT) (Corbin Kenneth C) Attachments: invite.ics tim. hugo@capnet org has accepted this invitation. i Offered Improvements 2019 W1 f?fl Thu Oct 18, 2018 3pm? 4pm Eastern Time New York Where ATL. Conf. Rm. 3151 Calen a: Corbin Kenneth Who . Corbin Kenneth - organizer tim.hugo@capnet.org -- creator Fox Diane - ATSC Alito David Clifford James sryan@mwe.com Rueter Curtis i dransom@mwe.com 7; 10/16/2018 Celena Major (470) 639? 3453 anIIation fIcIrn Google Calendar You-are receiving this courtesy ernaiiat the ace-aunt Irsc gov. becauee you are an attendee of this; event-{? . fo stop Ieceiving future upda: es fo- this event decline thie event Alta Inatively you can Sign up for a boogie account at 9059a. corn/calmdar/ aridt ontrol TIur noti?cation setting for your entire calender . i Forwarding this, invitation could allow any recipient. to reeponee. Learn More. Page:1 Bond Michelle From: Corbin Kenneth Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 12:25 PM To: Ryan, Stephen Cc: Tim Hugo; Fox Diane Ransom, David Subject: RE: Reiterating FF Meeting Request We will set up the call. I actually wrote a note to the SP team last week about finding some opportunities for pilots to help inform improvements to FF before we start working the new agreement. This is very timely. lnternal Revenue Service I Office Number (470) 639-3500 Fax Number 855-863?8342 From: Ryan, Stephen Sent: Tuesday, October 16,2018 12:22 PM To: Corbin Kenneth Cc: Tim Hugo Fox Diane - ATSC Ransom, David Subject: Reiterating FF Meeting Request Ken, Because ofthe importance ofthis issue and the time urgency to make changes that will benefit taxpayers in the Jan. 2019 tax season we respectfully reiterate Tim?s earlier request for a phone call this week. have not darkened your door in 2018 and need your and Diane's attention to this opportunity. Steve Ryan Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Tim Hugo Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 1:29 PM To: Corbin Kenneth Cc: Tim Hugo; Fox Diane Ransom, David Subject: Re: Reiterating FF Meeting Request Thanks Ken and Diane. Sent from my iPhone On Oct 16,2018, at 12:24, Corbin Kenneth Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 12:22 PM To: Corbin Kenneth Date: October 16,2018 at 10:29:30 EDT To: Diane Fox