I think most of the fear of the IRS comes from rumors like your post. I think in reality, a way to get the “civilized country” (as referred to by another poste

I think most of the fear of the IRS comes from rumors like your post. I think in reality, a way to get the “civilized country” (as referred to by another poster) tax experience is just file an incomplete return, the IRS will bill you the correct amount along with a negligible “fee” (interest) a few weeks or months later. Maybe doing this repeatedly would upset the IRS, I don’t know. But it definitely works a few times without issue. That said, I wouldn’t do this on purpose :)