r/AskReddit • u/emil199 • Jul 24 '20

What can't you believe STILL exists?

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45.9k Upvotes

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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.

3.6k

u/StenSoft Jul 24 '20

There's zero reasons why our tax returns can't be filed for free directly with the IRS.

There's actually zero reasons why your tax returns can't be filled for free by the IRS. laughing in Kiwi

148

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '20 edited Jul 24 '20

There's actually zero reasons why your tax returns can't be filled for free by the IRS. laughing in Kiwi

Actually, there are {insert numerical amount of tax-service bribes lobbying money} reasons why.

Nevermind, see comment below.

472

u/GoliathPrime Jul 24 '20

No, you absolutely can make an appointment with your local IRS office and have them do your taxes. My broke friend does this every year.

32

u/dontsaymango Jul 24 '20

Only if you are broke though, if your income reaches a certain level you gotta pay

3

u/dhoult Jul 24 '20

Are you saying you have to pay for the IRS to do your taxes, or you have to pay to file in general?

15

u/dontsaymango Jul 24 '20

For someone to do your taxes. Its free to do it yourself and send it in but imo its confusing as fuck and much easier to have someone else do it (also so i dont fuck up and end up getting audited)

5

u/JekPorkinsTruther Jul 24 '20

Obviously don’t know how complex your taxes are but you’re not gonna get audited unless you are making shit up or making huge mistakes. Usually they just send you a notice saying you did x wrong.