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FYI: this exists: https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/ https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/ I haven't used this personally for filing because it doesn't ha
by niggler 14y ago
FYI: this exists: https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/ https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/
I haven't used this personally for filing because it doesn't handle certain forms like 1128, but I'm told it's pretty good for basic stuff
- crazygringo 14y agoNo, it's not about doing your taxes electronically. It's about the IRS pre-calculating everything for you, so you don't have to input anything. You just say "yes, that's right", unless there are errors or additional information needed.
- toomuchtodo 14y agoExactly. We have the ability to do this, and private companies lobby against it (and win!) to protect their profit. What the fark.
- readme 14y agoSo, you're comfortable with just trusting the government to tell you what you owe? I'd prefer to check the math myself.
- toomuchtodo 14y agoLogin to IRS website, be shown all your data. Is this correct? Yes. No. buttons. Workflow is present to deal with incorrect data. The data is already submitted electronically by employers, brokerage/retirement asset management companies, states, etc. Why should I have to pay a private company (I'm looking at you Intuit) when the IRS should have the ability to provide the same service FOR FREE.
- niggler 14y agoGovernment doesn't know your business expenses and various deductions (unless you want to stream your cash and credit card transactions directly to the IRS)
- paulhauggis 14y agoSweden already has a form of this. There is a black box many retailers need to install which submits all of their daily transactions to the government.
- readme 14y agoSure, perhaps we should also station TSA outside every retailer and have them search our bags. That sounds like a privacy nightmare.
- paulhauggis 14y agoOf course it is. I would never live in Sweden because of things like this. I was just pointing it out.
- toomuchtodo 14y agoResponse to niggler: Yeah, I'm cool streaming them my business transactions via Yodlee/Mint/my bank if it streamlines the process. They can already get the data if they want it (audit, etc).
- niggler 14y agoHave you been through an audit? They don't just arbitrarily ask for all your records; they have questions about a specific number or set of numbers on your tax return and they ask you to substantiate it.
- ceejayoz 14y ago> I'd prefer to check the math myself. Read the article. That's the idea. Check the math if you want, file your own paperwork if you want.
- ScottWhigham 14y agoI think you're missing the point. The IRS has already received your 1099/W2/etc and thus it knows (a) your income, and (b) how much in taxes you've already paid. By then having the IRS start your tax return for you, you would no longer have to fill in that info. The IRS makes free forms available already. Besides, are there actually people so stupid that they would give their SSN/info to a site like that?
- niggler 14y agoI think many of us here don't get paid by W2 or by 1099. We are compensated in different ways which don't require those types of filings (e.g. K1), in which case we do need to fill out forms.
- maxerickson 14y agoI don't understand your example, the originator of a k1 would file it with the IRS, just like for a W2 or 1099.
- niggler 14y agoThere are an incredible number of moving parts with circumstances that may seem trivial, such as a master limited partnership or a foreign company paying dividends. Unless the entire world can standardize on taxes, these complications can't go away because not all information is properly reported or reported in a timely manner
- maxerickson 14y agoSure. But a system that only addressed the needs of 100 million people with simple taxes might still be a good idea (I realize that the thing exists. Free File is urged on by the government and has wide reach. I don't like that it is roughly designed to prevent the IRS from developing any sort of direct servicing).
- 14y ago