Mediaboss Marketing

Happy federal income tax filing day. To celebrate, lets raise our voices to say why free tax-filing software provided by the federal government should be available to anyone who wants it.

First, Ill review why we dont have that, according to investigations by others in recent years. The vast majority of people who prepare their own taxes pay private companies for the use of software to do so.

ALSO READ: Heres what to know for the 2023 tax filing season, from deadlines to late refunds

Then, Ill tell you why I dont do my own taxes and why people with any financial complexity in their lives should pay a professional to do theirs.

In 2022, 95 percent of all individual tax filings were done electronically, a process called eFile. About 150 million tax returns wereeFiled last year.

Of those, 44 percent of eFiled taxes were self-prepared, while 56 percent were prepared by tax professionals.

The annoying part of having to pay to file federal tax returns is that for a majority of people, the IRS already tracks their income with a W2.

For people with a single source of wage income, filing should be done the way it is in other countries, where the government sends a form to each such taxpayer with all the information it knows filled in. The government essentially asks: Is this right? Anything to add?

If the information on the form is correct, the taxpayer affirms it for free and in minutes and their tax filing is done.

It stands to reason that, since the dawn of the internet, we should be able to do this for free. What a sane world that would be.

ALSO READ: Six Texans, two from San Antonio, indicted in $111 million IRS tax fraud scheme

In the U.S., free filing is technically available, but its hard to do and rarely done.

Technically, if you earn less than $73,000 in adjusted gross income per year, you may use the IRS free online filing system, known as Free File. About 70 percent of taxpayers are eligible. Traditionally, however,only about 4 percent of tax filers or fewer use Free File, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Also, before you can use the Free File program, you start on the IRS website, from which you are redirected to use a private tax preparation companys software.

The IRS agreed in 2002 not to build free software that would compete with private, do-it-yourself tax software providers, as long as the industry participated in and offered a Free File option. TheIRS didnt pay the private providers, who were willing to offer Free File to prevent the IRS from creating a competing product. But at the same time, they are happy not to promote a service that they dont get paid for. In fact, they historically have made it very difficult to find Free File using a search engine.

When the IRS moved to negotiate for a different and presumably better taxpayer experience, the two largest private software companies opted out of the Free File program: H&R Block in 2020 and Intuit the maker of TurboTax software in 2021.

Before that, these companies in particular seemed to be conspiring to keep consumers from using the Free File program.

According to a ProPublica investigation and a lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general, Intuit purposefully hid the Free File function from search engines and tricked taxpayers into paying for TurboTax when they could have used the free option. ProPublica, an independent and nonprofit investigative journalism organization, worked on its story for years, explaining why households choose to pay for something that can be done for free.

H&R Block, another maker of tax preparation software, has also been accused of employing such strategies.

In May 2022, Intuit paid $141 million to settle the New York attorney generals lawsuit.

In 2019, Congress nearly passed a law forbidding the IRS from offering free online tax filing, something the tax software industry seems to want. Fortunately, that was blocked.

The Free File agreement between the IRS and the remaining private companies remains in place until October 2023, but the IRS now has the right to build and offer its own software for Free File. Hopefully, after October 2023, the IRS will create a free and simple way for the majority of filers to do their taxes. The IRS has reportedly allocated $15 million toward developing this program.

In a just world, the federal government would provide simple filers with a free and easy online eFile method that they can do in minutes, which would put companies like Intuit and H&R Block out of a big part of the do-it-yourself tax filing software market.

For people with multiple sources of income and business ownership, it makes sense to pay someone else to help navigate their tax complexity. If you own a business, you already cant use the existing Free File system. And you really shouldnt use a do-it-yourself system.

I am not a fan of do-it-yourself filing for my financial life, which is a bit complex. I have paid a tax preparer to do my household taxes since at least 1996, when I got my first real job.

MORE SMART MONEY: Taylor: Like a zombie, Texas corporate welfare threatens to rise from its grave and plague taxpayers

The most important reason to pay someone else is that few of us know enough about the intricacies of the federal income tax code to be sure we are taking every advantage we can, while still remaining safely on the side of legality and not running afoul of the IRS.

But for those in the simplest category of wage earners with few investment assets, it makes sense as a matter of principle that the federal government shouldprovide free do-it-yourself software.

Michael Taylor is author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates and host of the podcast No Hill for a Climber.

michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor

Link:
Taylor: Why the IRS doesn't offer its own free online tax software - San Antonio Express-News

i-Plantnutrition, a member of Yellow Brick AgTech, has made its fertilization software available for free to private growers, NGOs, and non-profit organizations. This decision comes after more than 12 years of commercial sales in over 72 countries, during which time the company has accumulated invaluable data to support the algorithm behind its fertilization recipes.

The i-Plantnutrition fertilization software is renowned for its accuracy and effectiveness, with growers using it to make informed decisions and reduce their fertilization use. The software's output is based on years of data that have been carefully analyzed to provide reliable and unbiased results.

Johnathan Kol-Bar, CEO of i-Plantnutrition, commented: "Recognizing the importance of sustainable agriculture practices, i-Plantnutrition has decided to make its software available to all growers for free. This move demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices and its dedication to ensuring that growers have access to the latest tools and technology. "

The decision to make the software free also ensures that good fertilization practices are not influenced by any fertilization company and that its fertilization recipes remain accurate and non-biased. This independence is crucial for growers who need reliable information to make informed decisions about their fertilizer use.

With this announcement, i-Plantnutrition is not only providing a valuable tool to growers but also encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming practices worldwide. By making the software available for free, the company is removing financial barriers that may have prevented some growers from accessing the software in the past.

The i-Plantnutrition fertilization software is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. The software's accuracy and effectiveness have helped growers around the world reduce their fertilizer use and improve their yields. Now, with the software available for free, more growers will be able to benefit from this valuable tool.

By providing this software, the company is helping growers to make more informed decisions about their fertilizer use, reducing their environmental impact and improving their yields. The i-Plantnutrition fertilization software is an example of the power of innovation and collaboration in promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

For more information:i-Plant Nutritionjohan@ybcap.comwww.i-plantnutrition.com

Read more here:
i-Plantnutrition made its software available to all growers for free - hortidaily.com

While research shows that employee monitoring improves worker productivity, it can also be destructive when it comes to morale and company culture. No one wants to feel like they are being watched or are not trusted. Benefits of employee monitoring could include increased productivity, increased security and cost savings, downfalls can include employee frustration, increased turnover, ethical issues and potential legal issues.

With remote work becoming the norm rather than the exception, many companies want to ensure their employees are as productive working remotely as they are in the office. A few nontechnical ways to do that is to schedule weekly review meetings, create a healthy workforce culture with consistent open communication, focus on employees growth, incorporate positive feedback and create transparent feedback rituals.

To keep employee trust, companies that do elect to use employee monitoring software should be transparent with their employees about when, where, how and why they are being monitored. Companies should clearly state work expectations, have specific policies in place around employee monitoring, ensure employees are aware of these policies, only use their software in visible mode and be open to honest conversations with employees about any concerns that may arise.

View original post here:
Best Employee Monitoring Software Of 2023 Forbes Advisor INDIA - Forbes

FBI Denver has is advising civilians to use their own portable chargers.

Free charging stations are a staple of airports, bus stations, and other public places where large groups of people tend to gather and wait. While these charging stations can be a lifesaver while away from home, the government has warned that they might not be so safe right now. The FBI has issued a statement urging people not to use free charging stations in public places, as theyre being used to spread malware and tracking software.

The FBI Denver Twitter account tweeted a PSA against using free charging stations earlier this morning. The charging stations are littered throughout airports and can also be found at various public places. The organization doesnt provide many details or context surrounding its findings, but its messaging is clear: people should avoid public charging stations until further notice.

Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.

Since the tweet comes from the FBI Denver account and not the FBI proper, its unclear if the issues with malware and monitoring software are specifically an issue in the Denver, Colorado area, or something affecting the United States at large. With that in mind, its probably safe to say that everyone in the United States should avoid public charging stations if they want to err on the side of caution.

The FBI has encouraged people to use their own portable chargers, which are probably a good investment even outside of widespread malware attacks. If the FBI provides an update with more information on the situation, well be sure to update this article.

Donovan is a young journalist from Maryland, who likes to game. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokmon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge Scream nerd and film fanatic that will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

View original post here:
FBI warns travelers of malware/monitoring software risks at free charging stations - Shacknews

Sex & Relationships

By Brooke Kato

April 12, 2023 | 5:36pm

Their love is real but their vows are simulated.

With the help of ChatGPT, one San Diego couple generated the wedding vows of their dreams.

Elyse Nguyen, who married her husband in February, turned to Open AIs viral software in a pinch to draft her vows. What initially began as a bit of a joke shockingly provided the foundation for her speech.

ChatGPTs initial output was cheesy, the Qualcomm financial analyst told CNN, but the essence of what vows should incorporate was there our promises to each other and structure.

With a touch of personal flare, the addition of a few details and her partner on-board, Nguyen was satisfied with her promises all thanks to AI assistance.

It helped alleviate some stress because I had no prior experience with wedding vows, nor did I know what should be included, she explained. Plus, ChatGPT is a genius with alliteration, analogies and metaphors. Having something like, I promise to be your partner in life with the enthusiasm of a golfers first hole in one in my back pocket was comical.

The software has become a technological sensation, used by Tinder bachelors to woo matches and abused by students to write essays. Even with its bad rap the tech was banned in Italy last month over privacy and safety concerns engaged lovebirds are giving AI a shot.

Fiancs Michael Grinn and Kate Gardiner employed ChatGPT to write the Ketubah, a traditional Jewish marriage contract, for their upcoming Wisconsin wedding in June. Although it required a few tweaks, the pair were shocked by what developed.

At the end, we both looked at each other and were like, we cant disagree with the result, Grinn, an anesthesiologist practicing in New York and Miami, told CNN.

He refuses to use the software to pen his vows because he wants his nuptial promises to be less refined, and something no one else helped me with.

But hell utilize it to officiate his best mans wedding, saying its so efficient for him as someone who has been working so much and lacks ample time to prepare.

Joy, a wedding planning website, offers ChatGPT software to alleviate writers block making the service one of the first third-party platforms to incorporate the Open AI tech since access to the chatbot was recently opened.

Ellen Le used the Joy tool to create the about us content and venue directions on her wedding website. While the first draft contained inaccuracies it made up certain details of the couples love story it still provided a helping hand and something to react to, rather than just spending 10 hours thinking about how to get started.

Joy CEO and co-founder Vishal Joshi, who considers himself an AI enthusiast, said the company has seen thousands of submissions through the Writers Block Assistant since it launched last month. The feature was inspired by a survey of Joy users that revealed they were overwhelmed by the speechwriting process.

Almost two decades ago, AI enthusiasts like myself and my research peers had only dreamt of mass market adoption we are seeing today, and we know this is just the true beginning, he told CNN. Just like smartphones, if applied well, the positive impact of AI on our lives can far outshine the negatives.

Were working on responsibly innovating using AI to advance the wedding and event industry as a whole, he added.

But not everyone is aboard the AI train. The technologically advanced software has prompted President Bidens administration to consider new regulations amid concerns over its capabilities. Last month, researchers from the University of Pennsylvaniawarned the smart chatbot could put people out of a job.

The alarm bells follow Bill Gates applause for AI systems and Googles plans to add a chatbot feature to its successful search engine.

The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet and the mobile phone, Microsoft founder Gates wrote in a March blog post. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care and communicate with each other.

Load more...

https://nypost.com/2023/04/12/chatgpt-wrote-my-wedding-vows-its-cheesy-but-stress-free/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons

View post:
ChatGPT wrote my wedding vows it's cheesy, but stress-free - New York Post