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Comment by markkanof | Hacker News Reader

That seems like an overly broad statement. If the companies producing tax filing software were solving a problem for their users then why shouldn't they exist. Even with this new option being offered by the IRS there is still likely room for private companies to solve the same problem (tax filing) in a way which is perceived as better by some users and so still justify their existence.

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>If the companies producing tax filing software were solving a problem for their users then why shouldn't they exist

Because the "problem" they're solving has been solved in other countries without a profitable middleman. Intuit's continued existence in this space is dependent on their lobbying team.

That's a slightly different issue though. Just saying that because the government has offered a solution to the problem of filing taxes doesn't automatically imply that no other organizations that are solving the same problem deserve to exist.

I suppose if you are arguing that the one and only reason that tax preparation software is needed is because of Intuit's lobbying then that could be true, but Intuit's lobbying is only part of what has led to a complex tax code.

Yes, the one and only reason tax preparation software is needed for normal people with normal incomes and expenses in 2023 is because of Intuit's lobbying. That's why people are upset about it.

Some businesses only exist due to government failure. The solution is to fix the government, not preserve a middleman asking for their cut.

Completely agree that fixing the government is the real solution, but until that is done, why shouldn't private companies be able to produce (optional) tools that make filing easier?

The comment you originally replied to didn’t say that.

The problem's continued existence was one they were largely responsible for. It's a bit like saying someone who prevents the installation of trash bins then offers to pick up litter for money is providing a valuable service.

If they can provide value on top of the public service and find customers willing to pay it, then they weren't killed by the public service.

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