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> Perhaps energy should be directed at the actual tax code complexity rather than software built to help navigate filing. It's hard to tackle the complexity of

> Perhaps energy should be directed at the actual tax code complexity rather than software built to help navigate filing. It's hard to tackle the complexity of the tax code when the company you're defending here has spent millions to keep it complex and out of the hands of the government.[0] The "tax complexity" argument is a red herring when talking about tax prep. The US government could absolutely offer free tax filing services to taxpayers without the help of private industry and also without needing to simplify the tax code. I'm not saying that the complexity of the tax code isn't a problem, but it's out of scope here. The idea that the complexity of the US tax code standing in the way of better filing options for taxpayers has absolutely no merit when companies are spending millions to fight legislation that gives the government the ability to offer its own tax prep software. This is rent-seeking behavior on the part of private industry, plain and simple. 0: https://www.propublica.org/article/filing-taxes-could-be-free-simple-hr-block-intuit-lobbying-against-it https://www.propublica.org/article/filing-taxes-could-be-fre...

StillBored 6y ago
And just to add to this, the IRS software could be significantly easier to use than the commercial offerings. That is because they could pre-populate much of the W2/1099/stock sales/etc data since its all being reported to the IRS from other organizations. For the vast majority of people it could be as simple as logging into a web site and clicking "no" to a bunch of questions like "did you have more than 20k of medical bills last year", and then "I accept" at the bottom where it prints your final tax. As I understand it, that is how some other countries handle their taxes..
- syshum 6y ago
  >>>And just to add to this, the IRS software could be significantly easier to use than the commercial offerings. Someone has never worked in government contracting or developing Software from Government Committee a IRS Tax Software would look more than the universally hated Unemployment Systems, or the government healthcare markets Not a easy to use streamline system If you want something to be inefficient, have the government do it
  - colejohnson66 6y ago
    Here’s the thing though: the IRS already has all the information they need for a majority of the population. Why does everyone need to fill out forms themselves only for the government a few years later to say you did it wrong?
    - toomuchtodo 6y ago
      Because some people are irrationally biased against government providing services or collecting taxes in general. These are ingrained belief systems being challenged.
      - jaywalk 6y ago
        Ridiculous thing to say. I am a small government person, and I believe taxation is theft. However, I am a realist and so I recognize that taxes are part of our reality. I am 100% in favor of the IRS making it as easy as possible for people to do their taxes, because they already have 99% of the info needed.
        Octoth0rpe 6y ago
        > I believe taxation is theft > However, I am a realist Choose one.
        jaywalk 6y ago
        I have no idea how you see those two things as mutually exclusive.
        Ericson2314 6y ago
        If taxation is theft, so are the vast majority of jobs.
        jaywalk 6y ago
twblalock 6y ago
I don't blame lobbyists for anything. I blame the politicians for doing what the lobbyists asked for.

StillBored 6y ago

And just to add to this, the IRS software could be significantly easier to use than the commercial offerings. That is because they could pre-populate much of the W2/1099/stock sales/etc data since its all being reported to the IRS from other organizations. For the vast majority of people it could be as simple as logging into a web site and clicking "no" to a bunch of questions like "did you have more than 20k of medical bills last year", and then "I accept" at the bottom where it prints your final tax. As I understand it, that is how some other countries handle their taxes..

syshum 6y ago
>>>And just to add to this, the IRS software could be significantly easier to use than the commercial offerings. Someone has never worked in government contracting or developing Software from Government Committee a IRS Tax Software would look more than the universally hated Unemployment Systems, or the government healthcare markets Not a easy to use streamline system If you want something to be inefficient, have the government do it
- colejohnson66 6y ago
  Here’s the thing though: the IRS already has all the information they need for a majority of the population. Why does everyone need to fill out forms themselves only for the government a few years later to say you did it wrong?
  - toomuchtodo 6y ago
    Because some people are irrationally biased against government providing services or collecting taxes in general. These are ingrained belief systems being challenged.
    - jaywalk 6y ago
      Ridiculous thing to say. I am a small government person, and I believe taxation is theft. However, I am a realist and so I recognize that taxes are part of our reality. I am 100% in favor of the IRS making it as easy as possible for people to do their taxes, because they already have 99% of the info needed.
      - Octoth0rpe 6y ago
        > I believe taxation is theft > However, I am a realist Choose one.
        jaywalk 6y ago
        I have no idea how you see those two things as mutually exclusive.
        Ericson2314 6y ago
        If taxation is theft, so are the vast majority of jobs.
        jaywalk 6y ago

twblalock 6y ago

I don't blame lobbyists for anything. I blame the politicians for doing what the lobbyists asked for.