March 4, 2013 Dear Congressmen: We, the undersigned groups and conservative movement leaders, write today to express our support for H.R. 495, the "Free File Program Act," sponsored by Congressman Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) This legislation would make the private sector "Free File" program permanent. We would urge you to co-sponsor this protaxpayer, anti-IRS power grab legislation. It's no secret that the IRS and big spenders in Washington, D.C. want to socialize all tax preparation in America. The (ironically-named) IRS Office of Taxpayer Advocate has been pushing for IRS preparation of tax returns for years. There's only one reason proponents want to do this--tax revenues. If the IRS invites a conflict of interest by adding "tax preparer" to its role as "tax collector," it's a near-certainty that everyone's taxes will rise. In fact, higher tax revenues are a major selling point of mandatory IRSprepared tax returns. The "Free File Program Act" is the best hope for preventing this taxpayer nightmare. Since 2003, sixteen private sector tax software providers have voluntarily banded together to provide free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income families with simple tax situations. 70 percent of all taxpayers--more than 100 million families--have access to this voluntary, private sector initiative. To date, 37 million tax returns have been processed by Free File, saving taxpayers $129 million in administrative costs. H.R. 495, the "Free File Program Act," would permanently authorize this free and voluntary private sector effort. More importantly, it directs the IRS that it "shall not compete with the private sector in providing these services to taxpayers, nor acquire, develop, or deploy enabling systems to duplicate or replace private tax preparation services." Never again would taxpayers have to worry about the IRS filling out a Form 1040 for them against their will. As your fellow Americans struggle this tax season to comply with our nation's costly and complicated tax system, we urge you to stand up for them by co-sponsoring H.R. 495, the "Free File Program Act." Grover Norquist Americans for Tax Reform Duane Pardee National Taxpayers Union Tim Phillips Americans for Prosperity Tom Schatz Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Jim Martin 60 Plus Association Heather Higgins Independent Women's Forum Phil Kerpen American Commitment David Williams Taxpayer Protection Alliance Andrew Moylan R Street Institute Andrew Quinlan Center for Freedom and Prosperity Seton Motley Less Government Jimmy LaSalvia GOProud