So What Do You Think of This Idea?

[GraceNY]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/04/13/3768924/warren-sanders-tax-returns/

[GraceNY]

"The IRS already gets most employer and bank info on taxpayer's obligations - such as W-2s and interest earned - so all they would have to do is calculate what they owe for them"

If I am not mistaken, the IRS does not have all the info in the beginning of February, they don't get that until close to summer.  So you think all these folks are going to wait until sometime in the summer to get their refunds?

Also note, she says "calculate what they owe."  What they owe?

It's well known that they IRS is under staffed and under funded, why would you give this agency any more work to do?  Also, you can call the service center with the same question several times and get at least a couple of different answers. Do you really want these folks filling out your returns?

Lastly,  the article states that in regards to the IRS's current free file program it was estimated that only 3% actually used it in 2012.  So let's waste more taxpayer money on another wasteful program...

This women is dangerous. Could comment on other things she's done and/or proposed, but too many returns to get done this morning.

 

 

 

 

[joanmcq]

It's the way other countries like the UK do taxes. In the UK, only self employed have to file returns. 

[Roberts]

When I got into taxes about 12 years ago a friend was shocked because he was 100% certain that the US Government would overhaul the tax system and we'd soon have those postcard returns that people bring up every other year.

If there is one thing I'm 100% certain of, Congress will never fix the tax system in the USofA in my business lifetime.

[easytax]

Regardless of party ----- the tax code gives the government the power to help or hinder and therefore make money for the politicians.   If it were simple, a large part of the support economy would have to find other employment or professions. Expanding on the simplist approach ---- in confussion there is profit ---- and that is what politicians and government rely on ///// again regardless of party.

 

[GeneInAlabama]

In Alabama, some of the cities have an occupational tax.  It is a flat rate on gross pay, no deductions, no nothing, in some cities as much as 2%.  It is taken out by the employer and the employee doesn't have to do any reporting.  The only way it shows up on a tax return of the employee is as a deduction on both the federal and state tax returns.  Some employees may not even know they are paying the tax.

[schirallicpa]

It makes sense to me.  Tighten the withholding so that tax withheld is what it should be, and be done with it.  It would save such a hassle for so many people, and would effectively get rid of the snake-oil tax preparers such as HRB 

[GeneInAlabama]

"The bill would also prohibit the IRS from entering into agreements that would restrict its ability to provide such free, online services directly to taxpayers. The IRS has signed a number of binding agreements with the tax preparation industry over the years that blocks it from offering free services directly to taxpayers itself, saying that it will “not enter the tax preparation software and e-filing services marketplace” and “not compete” with private service providers. "

So that's how H&R Block and others get away with what they do!

 

[BHoffman]

HRB didn't build that.  I think Intuit paid the most in lobbying bucks.

[Jack from Ohio]

8 hours ago, GeneInAlabama said:

In Alabama, some of the cities have an occupational tax.  It is a flat rate on gross pay, no deductions, no nothing, in some cities as much as 2%.  It is taken out by the employer and the employee doesn't have to do any reporting.  The only way it shows up on a tax return of the employee is as a deduction on both the federal and state tax returns.  Some employees may not even know they are paying the tax.

Welcome to my world, only with over 800 cities with income taxes and 600 different sets of rules.

[GeneInAlabama]

I'm just thankful that Alabama taxes are a lot easier than a lot of other states.