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The Thompson twins are not only making their hoop dreams come true, but making NBA Draft History as they accomplish it.

Amen and Ausar Thompson, 6’7 brothers from Fort Lauderdale, Florida were the No. 4 and No. 5 draft picks for the 2023 NBA Draft, respectively.

Amen, a point guard, was picked up by the Houston Rockets, while his brother will be starting his NBA career as a power forward with the Detroit Pistons.

The Athletic confirmed that while the two are not the first set of twins to be drafted together, they are the highest ranking and within the top ten, beating Marcus and Markieff Morris as they were the No. 13 and No.14 picks in the 2011 draft.

Proud mom of the Thompson Twins! #NBADraft presented by State Farm NEXT on ABC & ESPN pic.twitter.com/CVnwv14bzu

— NBA (@NBA) June 22, 2023

The twins are highly-anticipated to be major game-changers in their upcoming roles with the franchises.

Their path to professional basketball is a relatively recent one, as the brothers chose to forego the collegiate route usually taken by aspiring NBA players, which is attending a top Division 1 school and playing for their programs.

This 2 min recap of the Thompson Twins’ journey to the NBA is EVERYTHING pic.twitter.com/jOygFmOWGS

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 24, 2023

Instead, they chose to skip school and play for the newly established Overtime Elite, a professional league based in Atlanta for 16 to 20-year -olds with the hopes of performing well enough to advance to the NBA.

The Thompsons exceeded expectations during their two-year contract with Overtime Elite, banned together in their final season with the City Reapers team to win the championship. While the brothers were forces to be reckoned with, Ausar was named regular season MVP and Finals MVP for both his seasons at the league. To add to his accolades, he also earned each MVP award offered at Overtime Elite during his reign.

The Thompson twins have never been separated prior to their NBA induction, but will now have to face off against each other on behalf of their different cities in a battle for the national title in the ’23-’24 season.

Secret Invasion is here, and while there was plenty to talk about from the show’s first episode, one of the biggest points of discussion was the show’s opening credits. With the news that the titles were created using AI, audiences have been debating the ethics of this new technology. Dan Casey dives in to take a closer look on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

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Blacks and low-income taxpayers may potentially be harmed if the Internal Revenue Service implements a planned free online tax-filing system, those opposing or questioning it say.

That is among concerns from Derrick Plummer, spokesman for Intuit, the owner of tax-preparation software giant TurboTax. The topic has become a thorny issue since the IRS recently indicated the agency is eyeing the option for Americans and aims to begin a pilot project for the 2024 filing season.

Concerns about How Blacks Would Be Impacted by Proposed E-file System

The bottom line is industry skeptics claim the IRS’ action could have major repercussions for Black Americans and low-income taxpayers. The IRS stated in a letter in May 2023 that “Black taxpayers are audited at three to five times the rate of non-Black taxpayers,” an analysis that affirms research by Stanford University.

Industry skeptics argue that if the IRS’ new role is the tax assessor, collector, preparer and enforcer, that puts more taxpayers from vulnerable communities at risk of being treated unfairly and potentially not receiving their full tax refund. They declare that is a major point because the refund is often the largest check many taxpayers, particularly lower-income people, get annually for financial support.

Industry observers ask if the IRS controls the overall tax-filing process, how can taxpayers truly know they are getting the full refund due to them? Contrarily, they profess a tax filer working with a tax professional could have more confidence in working with that person because the business is more motivated to represent the taxpayer and provide customers quality service.

Industry onlookers contend already exposed Americans could be further hurt by a planned IRS e-file system built on bias and unfair enforcement practices. They declare that makes the tax-filing process blurrier and jeopardizes access for those taxpayers to professional, independent tax experts who can advocate and speak up for their best interests when dealing with the IRS.

Taxpayers Could Choose How to Do Taxes

The direct-file pilot participation will be voluntary and completely optional, the IRS shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. If taxpayers are concerned about engaging with the IRS via the direct file tool, they don’t have to do it. The spokesperson added that if direct file were launched, taxpayers could still prepare the return on their own, using Free File or another filing method they choose. As part of the IRS’s Strategic Operating Plan, taxpayers and tax professionals will be able to interact with the IRS in the ways they prefer, including expanded digital, phone, and in-person assistance options.

The federal tax collector’s proposal has created much friction and discomfort from tax prep giants like Intuit and H&R Block. Critics claim the IRS plan is redundant, unnecessary, and could foster lopsidedness between taxpayers and the government.

Last year, the Inflation Reduction Act increased IRS funding by $80 billion and instructed the agency to issue a feasibility study on a direct tax-filing system.

“The proposed direct e-file system takes power away from taxpayers, especially those from vulnerable communities, and hands it to the IRS,” says Intuit’s Plummer.

The IRS  says the direct-file pilot would improve services to help taxpayers meet their obligations and get tax incentives they are eligible for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS says it wants to ensure that taxpayers get all tax deductions and credits they are entitled to and file accurate returns.

Background On Proposed IRS Online Tax File System  

According to a recent IRS news release, the IRS has sent a report to Congress that appraises the practicability of providing taxpayers a free, voluntary, IRS-run online filing option called “Direct File.” In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel wrote on the costs, benefits, and operational challenges tied to applying the file. “It reflects a range of perspectives from taxpayers who were surveyed and interviewed about their preferences and tax filing experiences. The report shows  many taxpayers are interested in using an IRS-provided tool to prepare and file their taxes.”

 How IRS And Tax Preparers Could Potentially Compete More For Business

Further, critics claim the IRS action put the agency in head-on competition with tax companies, Black accountants, and others doing individual tax returns. The ante is high as tax preparation is a multibillion-dollar U.S. industry. Reportedly over 60 million taxpayers were serviced by Intuit and H&R Block.

According to the Associated Press, an analysis reveals that Intuit, H&R Block, other private firms, and advocacy groups for large tax preparation businesses, along with electronic free file backers, have supposedly spent $39.3 million since 2006 to lobby on “free-file” among their efforts.

Questions about potential costs and other aspects of IRS plan raised 

Treasury Chief Implementation Officer Laurel Blatchford has publicly stated the direct e-file program being tested “could potentially save taxpayers billions of dollars annually.” It costs around $220 to have a basic federal and state return done if you hire a tax professional, based on the National Society of Accountants. The IRS estimates the average cost for individual taxpayers is $140.

In this report, the IRS projected the annual costs of its plan may vary from $64 million to $249 million, depending on such factors as the number of users. Still, some observers continue to question the potential cost. According to this analysis, the IRS processed nearly 169 million returns for the 2022 tax year, implying the long-term cost can grow if the agency enlarges its reach.

Intuit’s Plummer contends, “An IRS direct-to-e-file system is redundant and will not be free – not free to build, not free to operate, and not free for taxpayers. A direct-to-IRS e-file system is a solution in search of a problem, and that solution will unnecessarily cost taxpayers billions of dollars.”

Further, Plummer says, “There is no question that inequities exist within the tax system, especially for low-income families, people of color, and non-native English speakers. These problems are systemic, and expanding the IRS’ reach into taxpayers’ lives through a system that not only enforces the tax laws but also determines what the taxpayer owes would likely increase these inequities.”

He added, “The IRS study cherry-picks data to support its flawed conclusion ignoring that only 12% of taxpayers said they would use a government-run system if state returns are not included. “Today, 100% of American taxpayers can file their taxes absolutely free of charge—this is free for them and the government.”

Another issue the proposed IRS free-e-file system raised from critics is it does not explain if there will be a state-tax prep option for taxpayers. They add that could complicate the tax-filing process because most people file their federal and state taxes together.

An onlooker also stated the IRS needs to be aware of gig workers and those with several jobs in different states. It was said it is important for low-income taxpayers who often work multiple jobs and may make money beyond only W-2 income. The IRS did not respond on that point.

However, the IRS did point out that the direct file pilot has not been finalized and touches on costs, operational challenges, and other details in this report.

In an attempt to rectify systemic injustices that have stifled the advancement of Black people, the Bush Foundation is funding $50 million dollars in grants for descendants of slavery living in Minnesota and the Dakotas to build wealth and opportunity. 

As a collaboration with Minnesota-based organization Nexus Community Partners, the program entitled Open Road Fund will administer the grants, as reported by the Star Tribune. 

Aligned with their mission of Black upliftment, the application to the Open Road Fund opened on June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, the nationally recognized holiday celebrating the official ending of slavery. 

The grants will disperse in increments up to $50,000, and be of benefit toward the endeavors of the descendants of formerly enslaved living in this region. While many could label the effort as reparations, the Fund is making clear that this is not the case, as it is not substantial enough to holistically be considered as such.

However, local leaders are championing the program, stating that is in line with other established plans geared toward reversing the pervasive impact of enslavement and its subsequents forms of discrimination, including Jim Crow and police brutality.

The Nexus grants will provide Black Midwesterners the vital funding to buy property, pay for school, invest in a business, or give back to initiatives or causes that also impact Black people, such as mental health or LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations.

Another benefit of the grants will also allow recipients to combine their new financial pools to contribute to even grander ventures.

Of the official announcement, Nexus CEO Repa Mekha expressed hope that these grants will help descendants of enslaved people reach greater heights in their personal and professional lives, 

“Through this $50 million Open Road Fund, Nexus has a chance to provide a return on the investment Black folks have long made to this country and create Black wealth. To us, Black wealth-building is about creating spaces and opportunities that help all Black people to thrive.”

Minnesota-based nonprofits, with the state having a Black population higher than that of the Dakotas, are assisting Nexus and The Bush Foundation in sharing the news that could forever change the trajectory of many Black small businesses.

Matthew Ramadan, President of New African Community Development Corporation, is optimistic of the fund’s mission to ignite economic achievement for Black people in his state.

“The hope is that these funds will actually reach down into the communities as intended,” says the communal leader.

Nexus and The Bush Foundation is urging descendants of slavery from all backgrounds in Minnesota and North and South Dakota, including those who repatriated to Africa, to apply to the Open Road Fund before the deadline of July 28.

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