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It's not terribly difficult to construct circumstances in which the government doesn't know how much you owe them. It's simpler to have a single policy for ever
by 0xffff2 7y ago
It's not terribly difficult to construct circumstances in which the government doesn't know how much you owe them. It's simpler to have a single policy for everyone. Therefore, everyone has to do their own taxes. I really don't think it's more complicated than that.
- Chris_Chambers 7y agoPointing out the problem is the first step toward creating pressure to solve it. I don’t understand why people like you always side with the bad guys to push back against progress. Pretending there’s some innocent angle to their conduct is even worse.
- pm215 7y agoSimpler for who? It's not simpler for the vast bulk of people whose only significant income is from their employer. It's not simpler for the tax authorities either, who now have to process a lot more tax returns rather than just doing something more straightforward for the common-case.
- 0xffff2 7y agoOf course it's simpler for the IRS. Simpler does not imply less work.
- ryandrake 7y agoI wonder what percent of taxpayers actually owe a different amount than the IRS can compute on its own. My guess is it’s not much more than 30% (the percentage who itemize deductions). Is it really worth making 100% of taxpayers do their own just to handle the edge case of people who actually have to?
- kevin_thibedeau 7y agoCapital gains, gambling winnings, and state use taxes aren't completely accounted for.