Re:IRS will look into setting up a free e-filing system
by bluGill on Wednesday September 07, 2022 @02:22PM
(#32754222)
I've done my taxes by hand - pencil and paper (not even a calculator), and it was faster than filling in all the forms for the online tax software. I still use the software, because the last time I did things my hand I didn't transfer line 17a of form 2345b to line 28c of form 9876d and when that was caught it was a big hassle to correct (even though the IRS had the right numbers I still had to fill out an amended return and then send new forms to the state - the state of course had the right numbers too if they could be bothered to double check)
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Re:IRS will look into setting up a free e-filing system
by ortusdux on Wednesday September 07, 2022 @02:33PM
(#32754411)
There is another good talking point: "You already pay the IRS to do your taxes each year. That is how we know if the forms you submit us are correct. You shouldn't have to pay twice!"
Re:IRS will look into setting up a free e-filing system
by SoftTalker on Wednesday September 07, 2022 @03:12PM
(#32755129)
Yeah really taxes could be much easier if you only had to submit what they don't already have. E.g. various deductions, non-W2 income, etc. They could then prep the final return and make it available for you to review and approve.
All my problems with taxes over the years have amounted to similar mistakes - forgetting to transfer one amount from one form to another, or transposing numbers, etc.
Re:IRS will look into setting up a free e-filing system
by pclmulqdq on Wednesday September 07, 2022 @07:33PM
(#32758745)
IMO there are basically two types of tax filers in the US:
1. People who really should file with pencil and paper (or excel, at most)
2. People who need an accountant
Very few people fall in between these categories. The tax code is so complicated and annoying that even things like employer RSUs, mortgages, side hustles, and doing more than 20 stock trades in a year can be risky and weird.