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Is that still a controversial standpoint in the US? Whenever threads about taxes in the US reach the HN front page, you get an overwhelming amount of comments f

Is that still a controversial standpoint in the US? Whenever threads about taxes in the US reach the HN front page, you get an overwhelming amount of comments from surprised posters outside of the US who can't imagine having to fill in everything themselves (me, a Dutchman who spends at most five minutes on his taxes every year, included), in addition to Americans who wish it were so in the US. No one really defends the current situation on HN.

hanniabu 7y ago
> spends at most five minutes on his taxes every year That is a dream come true. Honestly, I would just settle for competent government websites though. I had doing anything on federal or state websites because of the lack of information (they expect everyone already know what to do without explanation), links that should lead to more information but are just broken links that lead to nowhere, or links to forms that are broken and link to nowhere. On top of that you can rarely call in for anything because they think their website can handle everything and will typically just tell you to go there (either by person or prompt). On top of that you need a separate login for every government service website and need to fill out the same information on each site (just like you need to with every new doctor you visit in the US, form after form, all the same questions). Sorry, rambling at this point. /rant
mirimir 7y ago
> ... surprised posters outside of the US who can't imagine having to fill in everything themselves ... Maybe it's a holdover from times when many earned substantial cash income. Tips, for example.
- Fnoord 7y ago
  Yeah, well, the tipping culture is ridiculous anyway. Culturally enforced tip to people who earn below minimum wage. If tip is too small, it is still insulting. Just add it to the price already? Same with taxes. Why would you not include these in the cost the customer is going to pay? I find it dishonest.
  - mirimir 7y ago
    I like tips. They're a reward for good service. But maybe that was a bad example. Many people used to work for cash.
    - Fnoord 7y ago
      I like tips when they're optional, yes (we tip in Europe; I tip in Europe). When they're mandatory, it shouldn't be a tip; it should be included in the price. Because else, it is a cheap method to shift the blame.
patrickmcnamara 7y ago
I've heard Americans defend it saying that Americans don't trust the government to do it for them, even on Hacker News. I don't really understand that argument as you can just do your taxes the same as you currently do to see if they are overcharging or whatever.

hanniabu 7y ago

> spends at most five minutes on his taxes every year That is a dream come true. Honestly, I would just settle for competent government websites though. I had doing anything on federal or state websites because of the lack of information (they expect everyone already know what to do without explanation), links that should lead to more information but are just broken links that lead to nowhere, or links to forms that are broken and link to nowhere. On top of that you can rarely call in for anything because they think their website can handle everything and will typically just tell you to go there (either by person or prompt). On top of that you need a separate login for every government service website and need to fill out the same information on each site (just like you need to with every new doctor you visit in the US, form after form, all the same questions). Sorry, rambling at this point. /rant

mirimir 7y ago

> ... surprised posters outside of the US who can't imagine having to fill in everything themselves ... Maybe it's a holdover from times when many earned substantial cash income. Tips, for example.

Fnoord 7y ago
Yeah, well, the tipping culture is ridiculous anyway. Culturally enforced tip to people who earn below minimum wage. If tip is too small, it is still insulting. Just add it to the price already? Same with taxes. Why would you not include these in the cost the customer is going to pay? I find it dishonest.
- mirimir 7y ago
  I like tips. They're a reward for good service. But maybe that was a bad example. Many people used to work for cash.
  - Fnoord 7y ago
    I like tips when they're optional, yes (we tip in Europe; I tip in Europe). When they're mandatory, it shouldn't be a tip; it should be included in the price. Because else, it is a cheap method to shift the blame.

patrickmcnamara 7y ago

I've heard Americans defend it saying that Americans don't trust the government to do it for them, even on Hacker News. I don't really understand that argument as you can just do your taxes the same as you currently do to see if they are overcharging or whatever.