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HR 4938 114th Congress House

Free File Act of 2016

Official title: To make permanent the Internal Revenue Service Free File program.

Introduced: April 14, 2016 See on congress.gov
Taxation Computer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyFraud offenses and financial crimesIntergovernmental relations
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Internet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaPublic-private cooperationState and local government operationsTax administration and collection, taxpayers
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 14, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 14, 2016
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 14, 2016

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Free File Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to continue to operate the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Free File Program.

The program must work with state government agencies to enhance and expand the use of the program, while continuing to:

  • provide free commercial-type online individual income tax preparation and electronic filing services to the lowest 70% of taxpayers by income;
  • provide all taxpayers (regardless of income) with a basic, online electronic fillable forms utility; and
  • work with the private sector to provide the free tax preparation and electronic filing services.

Treasury must work with the private sector through the program to identify and implement innovative new program features to improve and simplify the taxpayer's experience with completing and filing individual income tax returns.

The IRS and members of the tax software and electronic industry involved in the program must support and promote improvements within the program by mutually testing, piloting, and offering innovative solutions to:

  • simplify the tax system,
  • reduce compliance and reporting burdens,
  • increase tax return accuracy through financial data authentication,
  • strengthen the tax system against fraud through cybersecurity collaboration,
  • avoid duplication, and
  • maximize the use of electronic technology.
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 93
All 93 Democratic 28 Republican 38
D
Veasey, Marc A.
Texas · Dec 7, 2016
 D
Adams, Alma S.
North Carolina · Nov 30, 2016
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Nov 15, 2016
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Nov 15, 2016
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Nov 15, 2016
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Nov 15, 2016
Harper, Gregg
· Nov 15, 2016
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Nov 15, 2016
 D
Lieu, Ted
California · Nov 15, 2016
Messer, Luke
· Nov 15, 2016
Rice, Tom
· Nov 15, 2016
SMITH, LAMAR
· Nov 15, 2016
 D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Nov 15, 2016
Curbelo, Carlos
· Sep 26, 2016
 R
Joyce, David P.
Ohio · Sep 26, 2016
 R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Sep 26, 2016
Meehan, Patrick
· Sep 22, 2016
 R
Valadao, David G.
California · Sep 22, 2016
Young, David
· Sep 22, 2016
CULBERSON, JOHN
· Sep 9, 2016
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Sep 9, 2016
 D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · Sep 6, 2016
 D
DelBene, Suzan K.
Washington · Sep 6, 2016
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Sep 6, 2016
 D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
Georgia · Sep 6, 2016
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Sep 6, 2016
 R
Perry, Scott
Pennsylvania · Sep 6, 2016
 R
Smith, Jason
Missouri · Sep 6, 2016
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· Sep 6, 2016
Love, Mia
· Jul 14, 2016
SHIMKUS, JOHN
· Jul 14, 2016
WALDEN, GREG
· Jul 14, 2016
 R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
Georgia · Jul 13, 2016
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Jul 13, 2016
 R
Westerman, Bruce
Arkansas · Jul 13, 2016
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Jul 5, 2016
 D
Dingell, Debbie
Michigan · Jun 28, 2016
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Jun 28, 2016
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Jun 28, 2016
 R
Young, Todd
Indiana · Jun 28, 2016
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Jun 14, 2016
Bishop, Mike
· Jun 14, 2016
 R
Hill, J. French
Arkansas · Jun 14, 2016
 D
Jeffries, Hakeem S.
New York · Jun 14, 2016
 D
Brownley, Julia
California · Jun 7, 2016
 D
Costa, Jim
California · Jun 7, 2016
Graves, Tom
· Jun 7, 2016
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jun 7, 2016
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Jun 7, 2016
 R
Newhouse, Dan
Washington · Jun 7, 2016
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4938: Free File Act of 2016. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4938/
MLA
"H.R. 4938: Free File Act of 2016." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4938/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4938, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4938/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4938: Free File Act of 2016](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4938/)
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