H.R. 8130: Tax Filer Voter Registration Act

This bill, known as the Tax Filer Voter Registration Act, proposes changes to the way tax return preparers can act as voter registration agencies under U.S. law. The bill aims to make it easier for individuals to register to vote when they are preparing their tax returns.

Key Provisions

• Tax Return Preparers as Voter Registration Agencies: The bill designates tax return preparers in each state as voter registration agencies. This means they would be able to provide voter registration application forms to clients who come in for tax preparation services.
• Availability of Forms:
  • If a client meets the tax preparer in person, the preparer must display voter registration forms in their office so that they are visible and accessible.
  • If services are provided online, the tax preparer must provide a hyperlink in their software to the state's voter registration application form or to the appropriate election official's website, ensuring it is clearly visible to the customer.
• Exceptions: There are certain requirements that tax return preparers are not obligated to meet under this legislation, such as accepting completed voter registration forms for submission to election officials or meeting specific deadlines for transmittal of these forms.
• Definition of Tax Return Preparer: The bill provides a specific definition of a tax return preparer, which generally includes those who prepare a significant number of individual tax returns (more than 100) and excludes those preparing fewer than this amount or certain volunteer tax preparers receiving specific funding.
• Guidance and Support: The Secretary of the Treasury will be tasked with providing guidance to certified volunteer tax preparers to help them comply with the new voter registration responsibilities. Additionally, survey questions regarding voter registration will be included in the intake materials for clients of certified volunteer tax preparers.
• Information Display Requirements: Funded volunteer tax preparers will be required to prominently display voter registration application forms at their service sites.

Effective Date

The changes introduced by this bill will apply to tax years beginning after December 2021.

Relevant Companies

• HRB (H&R Block): As a major tax preparation service provider, H&R Block may be impacted as they will need to implement systems for voter registration form distribution in accordance with the bill.
• INTU (Intuit Inc.): The parent company of TurboTax, Intuit may need to update its software to include voter registration application links as specified in the legislation.