Which practice is prohibited by the OCC when dealing with taxpayers?

The prohibition by the OCC regarding pressure tactics to select a tax refund product stems from the goal of maintaining fair and ethical practices in financial services. This approach is particularly important to ensure that consumers are able to make informed choices based on their needs and preferences without feeling forced or manipulated into a particular decision. Such pressure tactics can lead to potential consumer harm, as individuals may not fully understand the product's terms or may end up choosing a solution that is not in their best interest.

In contrast, encouraging taxpayers to compare fees, offering incentives for using specific products, and providing discounts based on service levels can all be considered acceptable practices under certain guidelines, as long as they promote transparency and allow taxpayers to make educated choices without undue influence or coercion. This distinction highlights the importance of consumer autonomy in financial decisions, which is a core focus of compliance regulations set by the OCC.