Agree but also disagree. The IRS has some of that info, but not all of it. While it’s true that most (ie >50%) people the govt knows everything, there are plenty of free options. I filled out the 1040EZ for many years before I couldn’t anymore. It was less than an hour of my time. That’s still available online and in paper. The only thing missing is the govt prepopulating a few numbers, which isn’t much of a benefit.

The tax code could be simplified, but the argument being made here is that most people are forced to use tax software because it’s too hard to do your own taxes. But it’s actually the opposite… Most people are fine with the 1040EZ. The 25% or so that have more complex tax situations will always be happy paying $50 for x software to get a $3k return or pay an accountant $300 to do it.