5 ms·

Stolen from Twitter [1]: "Government: You owe us money. It’s called taxes. Me: How much do I owe? Gov’t: You have to figure that out. Me: I just pay what I

by akarma 7y ago

Stolen from Twitter [1]: "Government: You owe us money. It’s called taxes. Me: How much do I owe? Gov’t: You have to figure that out. Me: I just pay what I want? Gov’t: Oh, no we know exactly how much you owe. But you have to guess that number too. Me: What if I get it wrong? Gov’t: You go to prison" [1] https://twitter.com/jordan_stratton/status/1118141455061671939 https://twitter.com/jordan_stratton/status/11181414550616719...

godelski 7y ago
I'm very happy this sentiment is becoming more common. It is just insane when you think about it.
streb-lo 7y ago
You realize that only a portion of people get audited right? Sure, your government could calculate everyone's taxes but I'm guessing those taxes would need to go up...
- zymhan 7y ago
  The IRS does in fact compare the data you send them to the data they have. Presumably the IRS, famous for it's computer system, isn't hand-checking every return.
- maxmax 7y ago
  Try filing your taxes using different numbers than on your W2/1099 and see what happens. I guarantee you'll get a discrepancy letter.
- int_19h 7y ago
  The government does exactly that for the majority of tax residents in most countries in the world. US, with its Byzantine tax return system, is an outlier.
mizchief2 7y ago
Sounds a lot like the "self evaluation" nonsense when it comes to performance review. "I give myself a 5 and deserve a 5% raise" Oh well you only get a 2% raise. Just lazy management that event "delegates" the only part of the job they are actually supposed to do.
projektfu 7y ago
I don't think the IRS sends people to prison for filing incorrectly. There's a difference between misreading the instructions and “willfully [making and subscribing] any return, statement, or other document, which contains or is verified by a written declaration that is made under the penalties of perjury, and which he does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter.”

by akarma 7y ago

godelski 7y ago

I'm very happy this sentiment is becoming more common. It is just insane when you think about it.

streb-lo 7y ago

You realize that only a portion of people get audited right? Sure, your government could calculate everyone's taxes but I'm guessing those taxes would need to go up...

zymhan 7y ago
The IRS does in fact compare the data you send them to the data they have. Presumably the IRS, famous for it's computer system, isn't hand-checking every return.
maxmax 7y ago
Try filing your taxes using different numbers than on your W2/1099 and see what happens. I guarantee you'll get a discrepancy letter.
int_19h 7y ago
The government does exactly that for the majority of tax residents in most countries in the world. US, with its Byzantine tax return system, is an outlier.

mizchief2 7y ago

Sounds a lot like the "self evaluation" nonsense when it comes to performance review. "I give myself a 5 and deserve a 5% raise" Oh well you only get a 2% raise. Just lazy management that event "delegates" the only part of the job they are actually supposed to do.

projektfu 7y ago

I don't think the IRS sends people to prison for filing incorrectly. There's a difference between misreading the instructions and “willfully [making and subscribing] any return, statement, or other document, which contains or is verified by a written declaration that is made under the penalties of perjury, and which he does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter.”