The difference is that they used to not get that info. When I started filing taxes way back in the olden days, I had to mail a copy of my W2 to the IRS. I coul

The difference is that they used to not get that info. When I started filing taxes way back in the olden days, I had to mail a copy of my W2 to the IRS. I could alter it, not include it, whatever. So audits would verify all that. Now w2s are sent electronically along with 1099s and everything else. So it’s not perfect, but it’s much easier on the IRS now, than it used to be. For most people, there are no expenses. You could lie about kids but you need socials. You could lie about tax or mortgage deductions but those data are sent to the IRS by institutions. You could lie about charities, but again that’s sent electronically. There are some edge things, but they are really edge because most filers don’t have any deductions that are easy to lie about without detection.