Weekly Legislative Update
April 7, 2025

QR Code Available for TIA "Right to Repair - Report Your Issue Webpage

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is excited to announce that its “Right to Repair - Report Your Issue” webpage is now even easier to access with a new QR code, conveniently available for scanning in the shop.

This tool empowers shop owners and technicians to report instances where they face barriers to diagnosing or repairing vehicles, providing critical data to help protect the right to repair for all.

With reports increasing of automakers restricting access to both wired (OBD-II) and wireless (telematics) diagnostic and repair information, TIA aims to document the real-world impacts of these restrictions on businesses, consumers, and the broader economy.

Why the Right-to-Repair Form Matters

The form gathers key information about repair challenges, including:

• Vehicle specifics: Make, model, and year.

• Maintenance attempt details: The type of repair being performed and whether diagnostic codes were accessible.

• Barriers encountered: Lack of proper tools, unavailable OEM documentation, refusal to sell parts, or required software updates.

• Current vehicle status: Whether the repair was completed or the vehicle remains inoperable.

TIA assures users that all submissions will remain confidential, and no identifying personal or business information will be disclosed when case studies are presented on Capitol Hill.

Simply scan the QR code in your shop to access the form and help advocate for the industry’s future!

To request a QR code emailed to you, please send an email to rlittlefield2@tireindustry.org

TIA Signs Trades Letter on CTA Regulations

Dear Secretary Bessent:

The undersigned organizations, representing millions of Main Street businesses operating in every industry and community in America, applaud the Department of the Treasury (Department) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) for issuing the interim final rule on March 21, 2025, which revises the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

This rule appropriately narrows the scope of entities required to report BOI by exempting domestic reporting companies and U.S. persons who are beneficial owners of foreign reporting companies. By doing so, the Department has alleviated substantial compliance burdens that would have disproportionately affected law-abiding Main Street businesses, while also shifting to a risk-based enforcement protocol that will ultimately strengthen the effectiveness of the CTA. 

The original CTA reporting requirements encompassed an estimated 32 million legal entities with 20 or fewer employees or $5 million or less in revenues, effectively targeting nearly every small business in the United States. The interim final rule's exemption for domestic reporting companies ensures that these businesses can continue to operate without the added complexity and potential penalties associated with BOI reporting. Furthermore, additional narrow exemptions for certain U.S. persons demonstrate a balanced consideration of privacy concerns and the practicalities of compliance.

We believe these revisions will allow the Department to focus its resources on entities that pose genuine risks of money laundering and other illicit activities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of our nation's financial crime prevention efforts without imposing undue burdens on legitimate businesses.

The undersigned organizations are grateful for your efforts and strongly support the actions outlined in the interim final rule.

Sincerely,

Tire Industry Association and other trade associations

IRS: Free File Provides Quick and Easy Way to File Taxes

As the end of tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that IRS Free File is a quick and easy way to file federal tax returns for free.

IRS Free File lets qualified taxpayers get free tax preparation, free electronic filing and free direct deposit of their federal tax refund, if they’re owed one, using guided tax preparation software available only at IRS.gov.

IRS Free File is available to taxpayers and families whose 2024 total adjusted gross income (AGI) was $84,000 or less. A taxpayer’s AGI includes wages, tips, business income, retirement income and other forms of taxable income. Through a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, tax preparation and filing software providers make their online products available to eligible taxpayers. Each provider sets its own eligibility rules based on age, state residency and income. IRS Free File will guide taxpayers through choosing the provider that’s right for their needs

Benefits of IRS Free File

• Using IRS Free File can help taxpayers find and calculate valuable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
• Any individual or married couple that meets the income limitation is potentially eligible, and IRS Free File can also handle complex tax returns.
• IRS Free File partner companies cannot disclose or use tax return information for purposes other than tax return preparation without the taxpayer’s informed and voluntary consent.
• Taxpayers can use IRS Free File to file their taxes on any personal computer, tablet or smart phone.
• All products are available in English, and one guided tax product is available in Spanish.

Easy way to file an extension

Need more time to file? IRS Free File is one of the easiest ways to request an extension. A tax filing extension guarantees the taxpayer six additional months to file, with an extended deadline of Oct. 15.

Although an extension grants extra time to file, it does not grant taxpayers extra time to pay if they owe. Taxpayers are still obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest. Taxpayers who owe should either pay their full tax bill or at least pay what they can afford by the April 15 deadline.

Other free tax filing options

In addition to IRS Free File, the IRS reminds taxpayers that there are other free programs available to help:

Free File Fillable Forms. All taxpayers regardless of their income can use the IRS' Free File Fillable Forms. These are the electronic versions of IRS paper forms and are best for people who are comfortable preparing their own taxes using IRS forms and instructions.

Direct File. Taxpayers who lived and worked in one of 25 participating states for all of 2024 may use IRS Direct File to file federal tax returns online—for free—directly and securely with the IRS. Go to IRS Direct File to find more information, including eligibility requirements and updates to the list of tax situations added to IRS Direct File for the 2024 tax year.

VITA and TCE. People who generally make $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and those who are 60 years of age and older, can also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who provide a trusted source for preparing tax returns.

MilTax. Offered through the Department of Defense, MilTax is a free tax resource available to members of the military, as well as qualifying veterans and family members. It is a suite of tax services designed to address the realities of military life—including deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, and multi-state filings. MilTax includes tax preparation and electronic filing software, personalized support from tax consultants and current information about filing taxes. Eligible taxpayers can use MilTax to electronically file a federal tax return and up to three state returns for free.

For more on IRS Free File or other filing methods, check out the File your return page on IRS.gov.