As the tax filing deadline approaches, the more than 40 million Spanish-speaking residents of the United States are finally receiving help from the IRS and TurboTax. Individuals like Maria Purser, a accountant in San Diego, have been using TurboTax to help their immigrant parents navigate the tax filing process. With the introduction of a new Spanish version of the tax software, the process has become smoother for families like Purser’s, who feel more comfortable speaking Spanish than English.
According to the US Census Bureau, 68 million US residents spoke a language other than English at home in 2019, with 42 million being Spanish speakers. However, many Spanish speakers struggle with financial and tax terminology, making it difficult to navigate the tax filing process in English. The IRS has made efforts to provide information in Spanish, including the Form 1040 with instructions in Spanish, and a new pilot program allows taxpayers in 12 states to file their taxes directly with the IRS in Spanish.
TurboTax, a leading consumer tax software, has recently launched a full suite of products for the 2023 tax filing season in Spanish. This includes software-only versions, live-assist options, and professional tax preparation services, catering to the Hispanic population in the US. Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, has made significant strides in providing bilingual support, including a free bilingual chatbot powered by AI to assist users in English and Spanish.
While the use of AI technology has improved accessibility for Spanish-speaking taxpayers, tax professionals like Carlos López of Latino Tax Pro continue to play a crucial role in helping clients navigate complex tax situations. López utilizes AI tools to enhance the efficiency of his tax preparation business, offering online resources and providing quick responses to specific tax questions in both English and Spanish.
TurboTax has marketed its Spanish-language services through various channels, including a Super Bowl ad on Univision and influencer partnerships on social media. Influencers like Marianna Girgenti, known for her comedic videos in Spanish, have engaged with TurboTax’s Spanish offerings to educate their followers on tax filing. Girgenti’s collaboration with TurboTax showcases the benefit of bilingual tax services for multigenerational families who may struggle with English-language tax resources.
Overall, the introduction of Spanish-language tax resources, including TurboTax’s AI-powered tools and the IRS’s expanded services, is a step towards making the tax filing process more accessible for Spanish-speaking individuals in the US. As technology continues to advance, the goal is to provide comprehensive bilingual support to help all taxpayers navigate the complexities of the US tax system.
