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The tax prep industry lobbied Congress to prevent the IRS from auto-tax filing. The compromise was "free filing" for those with median incomes and below. For a

The tax prep industry lobbied Congress to prevent the IRS from auto-tax filing. The compromise was "free filing" for those with median incomes and below. For a majority, W2s, 1099s and the previous years return can provide an auto-filing framework. The IRS would send your their draft and you agree or modify. Other countries do this.

alkonaut 6y ago
If I saw a proposal to make tax codes simpler, have people file taxes with a good app provided by the IRS etc and then I saw a politician vote against it, while being funded by companies benefiting from the status quo... I'd just not vote for that person again.
- benmw333 6y ago
  This is 99.9% of politicians.
  - alkonaut 6y ago
    Voters get the politicians they deserve. In some systems it's easier to be corrupt. IIif there are only 2 major parties so you don't need to good just better than the other guy, or if politicians are funding their own campaigns so you are indebted to sponsors and companies before you are even elected. But voters are also responsible for those systems being in place.
- bobthepanda 6y ago
  Such a proposal can be killed at various steps before it gets to a floor vote. It’s part of why Mitch McConnell was majority leader; he isn’t necessarily well liked, but he is willing to take the heat for not taking up a bill and letting his colleagues avoid awkward votes.
- Spivak 6y ago
  While many people are "single issue voters" [1] it's not too often that someone would vote for an otherwise worse candidate over $50-100/yr tax prep bill. [1] I hate this term but it's the one that caught on. Almost no one votes positively based on a single issue but many people have disqualifying issues which people treat as the same thing. "Sure they're pro baby eating but their stance on taxes is really quite progressive."
SubiculumCode 6y ago
Having the IRS make a tax estimate that you may then contest is very different than making your own tax estimate that the IRS could then contest. Proposals such as this dramatically shifts power towards the IRS.

alkonaut 6y ago

If I saw a proposal to make tax codes simpler, have people file taxes with a good app provided by the IRS etc and then I saw a politician vote against it, while being funded by companies benefiting from the status quo... I'd just not vote for that person again.

benmw333 6y ago
This is 99.9% of politicians.
- alkonaut 6y ago
  Voters get the politicians they deserve. In some systems it's easier to be corrupt. IIif there are only 2 major parties so you don't need to good just better than the other guy, or if politicians are funding their own campaigns so you are indebted to sponsors and companies before you are even elected. But voters are also responsible for those systems being in place.
bobthepanda 6y ago
Such a proposal can be killed at various steps before it gets to a floor vote. It’s part of why Mitch McConnell was majority leader; he isn’t necessarily well liked, but he is willing to take the heat for not taking up a bill and letting his colleagues avoid awkward votes.
Spivak 6y ago
While many people are "single issue voters" [1] it's not too often that someone would vote for an otherwise worse candidate over $50-100/yr tax prep bill. [1] I hate this term but it's the one that caught on. Almost no one votes positively based on a single issue but many people have disqualifying issues which people treat as the same thing. "Sure they're pro baby eating but their stance on taxes is really quite progressive."

SubiculumCode 6y ago

Having the IRS make a tax estimate that you may then contest is very different than making your own tax estimate that the IRS could then contest. Proposals such as this dramatically shifts power towards the IRS.