Re:FSF Call on the IRS to provide libre tax-filing software
by deathanatos on Wednesday April 26, 2023 @03:17AM
(#35710453)
> Sure, but for something that applies to 30% of people, they could either ask you if that situation applies to you and then ask you to fill in the info.
Yes, I'm aware. (That's even the argument you're responding toβ¦)
The point is that there are several credits and deductions; some with with P(it applies to me) of ~30%. The point is not P(a given deduction applies to me), but P(any deduction applies to me), and that that probability, I think, is fairly high. To say "yeah but most people can take the standard deduction" is a true statement, but it ignores where the complexity of taxes is. (Heck, I took the standard deduction, and again, there is information required for taxes that is known to all the relevant authorities β just not me, at least not via any official means. If it's input to the tax code, it should be given a Box on a tax form, a the very least.)
Yes, I'm aware. (That's even the argument you're responding toβ¦)
The point is that there are several credits and deductions; some with with P(it applies to me) of ~30%. The point is not P(a given deduction applies to me), but P(any deduction applies to me), and that that probability, I think, is fairly high. To say "yeah but most people can take the standard deduction" is a true statement, but it ignores where the complexity of taxes is. (Heck, I took the standard deduction, and again, there is information required for taxes that is known to all the relevant authorities β just not me, at least not via any official means. If it's input to the tax code, it should be given a Box on a tax form, a the very least.)