Free File Alliance

H&R Block and Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, have both quit an IRS partnership.

Using lobbying, the revolving door and “dark pattern” customer tricks, Intuit fended off the government’s attempts to make tax filing free and easy, and created its multi-billion-dollar franchise.

A bill with widely backed reforms almost got snagged over a provision blocking the IRS from creating free electronic filing.

Consumer advocates say they like the bill -- except for one provision they call a giveaway to tax preparers.