> That's literally insane. So you're basically giving your government a loan a year in advance? Why? Why not pay your income tax when you know - you get your income, like the rest of Europe does?

You might be misunderstanding - this is literally how tax withholding works. You pay estimated taxes as you go through the year, and then file a return at the end of the year and settle up with the government to what your actual tax liability should be.

That's how most income taxes work in most countries.