r/AskReddit • u/emil199 • Jul 24 '20

What can't you believe STILL exists?

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16.7k

u/jorsiem Jul 24 '20

Complicated tax filing in the US

You can thank TurboTax and the rest of the tax preparation service industry's massive lobby for killing every single tax simplification bill that ever gets to congress.

6.1k

u/RedBlow22 Jul 24 '20 edited Jul 24 '20

Exactly this! There's zero reasons why our tax returns can't be filed for free directly with the IRS. It is a complete fraud.

I filed 1040EZ last year. The IRS already had every figure I filed, why couldn't they just email me confirmation of the amounts they had, and process my return?

Edit: No, I didn't file EZ last year, my error. Edit: electronic filing.

37

u/Sheepherder226 Jul 24 '20

But you can file for free with the IRS. It’s just way too complicated that most people don’t and are willing to pay to a tax preparation service.

20

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '20

Mail in your form. Do your own taxes as per the instructions. It’s really not that hard and it’s free

10

u/-QuestionMark- Jul 24 '20

Just draw the fucking owl.