4 ms·

I disagree on one point. Block and Intuit are also lobbyists against all sorts of code simplification programs. Anything that makes the filing process easier, a

by cestith 10y ago

I disagree on one point. Block and Intuit are also lobbyists against all sorts of code simplification programs. Anything that makes the filing process easier, and having fewer deductions and penalties available makes it easer, they are against.

ams6110 10y ago
The business of H&R Block and Intuit came about in response to tax code complexity, they did not create it.
- llukas 10y ago
  In other words they rely on tax code being complex or their reason to exist ceases.
- pmorici 10y ago
  They didn't need to create it too perpetuate it for their own self interest.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- WalterSear 10y ago
  And the prison lobby came about because we have prisons.
- cestith 10y ago
  Boeing didn't create the Air Force, either. Comcast didn't invent TV, cable TV, or the Internet. MADD didn't invent cars, alcohol, or DUIs. The DEA didn't invent drugs. Ruger didn't invent firearms. GM didn't invent the automobile. The UAW didn't invent factories or employment agreements. I fail to see what being interested in the state of continued being of something has to do with having been the inventor.
  - ams6110 10y ago
    The point is that they are a symptom. The problem is the government and their inability to keep anything simple. And in reference to the original topic, taxes for people with one W2 and no other income are not complicated. You can complete a 1040EZ on paper in 5 or 10 minutes.
    - ghouse 10y ago
      They were created to treat a symptom, not address the cause. Now that a viable way to eliminate the cause exists, they advocate the keep the root problem.
    - cestith 10y ago
      The 1040EZ doesn't allow one to deduct home mortgage interest. You need a 1098 and a Schedule A and the long-form 1040. That has nothing to do with whether you're filing from a single W2 or multiple 1099 forms. IIRC you can't deduct relocation expenses, wardrobe for work, books and training materials, or a whole bunch of other stuff on a 1040 EZ. So sure, as long as you want to overpay your taxes you can file in about 45 seconds.
      - ams6110 10y ago
        The original article was talking about simple tax returns. In fact, the 1040EZ is relatively new. Much newer than the existence of H&R Block. So evidently their efforts to keep taxes complicated aren't entirely successful. Even a 1040 "long form" (2 pages) with itemized deductions for mortgage interest isn't that complicated. I file about a 10 page return, 1040 with schedule A, schedule C, self-employment and various others and I always do it myself on paper. If you are at the point where you think you need TurboTax, you're probably better off just hiring a local CPA firm to do your taxes.
        Thrymr 10y ago
        Of course, you also need to pay one of the tax prep companies just to file your return online (if you're above an income threshold), because you can't do that directly as an individual, either. Also due to their lobbying.

by cestith 10y ago

ams6110 10y ago

The business of H&R Block and Intuit came about in response to tax code complexity, they did not create it.

llukas 10y ago
In other words they rely on tax code being complex or their reason to exist ceases.
pmorici 10y ago
They didn't need to create it too perpetuate it for their own self interest.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
WalterSear 10y ago
And the prison lobby came about because we have prisons.
cestith 10y ago
Boeing didn't create the Air Force, either. Comcast didn't invent TV, cable TV, or the Internet. MADD didn't invent cars, alcohol, or DUIs. The DEA didn't invent drugs. Ruger didn't invent firearms. GM didn't invent the automobile. The UAW didn't invent factories or employment agreements. I fail to see what being interested in the state of continued being of something has to do with having been the inventor.
- ams6110 10y ago
  The point is that they are a symptom. The problem is the government and their inability to keep anything simple. And in reference to the original topic, taxes for people with one W2 and no other income are not complicated. You can complete a 1040EZ on paper in 5 or 10 minutes.
  - ghouse 10y ago
    They were created to treat a symptom, not address the cause. Now that a viable way to eliminate the cause exists, they advocate the keep the root problem.
  - cestith 10y ago
    The 1040EZ doesn't allow one to deduct home mortgage interest. You need a 1098 and a Schedule A and the long-form 1040. That has nothing to do with whether you're filing from a single W2 or multiple 1099 forms. IIRC you can't deduct relocation expenses, wardrobe for work, books and training materials, or a whole bunch of other stuff on a 1040 EZ. So sure, as long as you want to overpay your taxes you can file in about 45 seconds.
    - ams6110 10y ago
      The original article was talking about simple tax returns. In fact, the 1040EZ is relatively new. Much newer than the existence of H&R Block. So evidently their efforts to keep taxes complicated aren't entirely successful. Even a 1040 "long form" (2 pages) with itemized deductions for mortgage interest isn't that complicated. I file about a 10 page return, 1040 with schedule A, schedule C, self-employment and various others and I always do it myself on paper. If you are at the point where you think you need TurboTax, you're probably better off just hiring a local CPA firm to do your taxes.
      - Thrymr 10y ago
        Of course, you also need to pay one of the tax prep companies just to file your return online (if you're above an income threshold), because you can't do that directly as an individual, either. Also due to their lobbying.