In Germany (for employees) they just take their share and if you’re ok with that you don’t have to do anything at all.

Unless you’re a US citizen or permanent resident, in which case you still need to file in the USA, but that’s not the Germans’ fault.

My anecdotal experience in Germany is that it's well worth the hour or so to fill out a tax return with some common deductions. The downside of optional filing is that many people will lose money to laziness or ignorance.

I bet I've spent more time discussing taxes on HN than actually doing my taxes in the U.S. It really isn't that big of a thought, and I have a small business so it's even more complicated.

Point is, it could be massively better.

I don't agree that things that one is used to, don't need to be improved upon. And the US is clearly falling behind the times here.