Why the IRS Should Automatically Fill In Returns With What It Knows 613
theodp writes "An article in the NY Times begins, 'In the digital age, filing income tax returns should be a snap. Important data from employers and financial institutions has already been sent to government computers. Yet taxpayers are still required to perform the chore of preparing a return from scratch, in many cases paying a software company for the privilege.' Why, if your needs are simple, can't you just download forms pre-filled with whatever data the IRS has received about you, make any necessary adjustments, and automatically get the IRS calculation of your taxes? Sounds reasonable, but the IRS rejected the President's proposal to give taxpayers the option to do so as 'not feasible at this time' due to delays in the receipt of W-2 and 1099 data. However, California managed to offer a pre-filled state tax return, which cost only 34 cents to process compared to $2.59 to process a traditional paper return. Despite the success of the pilot, meager funds have been allotted for the program due to the strength of its political opponents — 'principally, Intuit' — according to the state controller. Intuit argues it would be a 'conflict of interest for government to be both tax collector and tax preparer.'"
Re:Why they shouldn't.. (Score:5, Funny)
Dear Mrs David Rosboro
Our records show that none of your 27 children are currently in school. We can only assume that you are violating child employment laws or have
eaten them. We will be performing an inspection on the 29th Jan to verify the health and status of your children.
Re:works fine in Sweden (Score:5, Funny)
You know, when I was reading your post, I thought Sweden, eh? Wavy line... wavy lines...
Knocking at the door. Swedish male citizen goes and answers it.
Beautiful blond is at the door. (Translated to American)"Hi, I'm with the Revenue Service and I have your tax form. Do you want to have sex before or after reviewing your tax form?"
Swedish make citizen: "Um. Let me ask my wife. Honey, should I have sex with the tax collector before or after reviewing the form?"
Beautiful blond Swedish wife walks in: "Listen YOU! We filed jointly so it HAS to be a threesome before AND after reviewing the form!"
Tax collector: "That's IS the law! File jointly and it's a threesome! I'm terribly sorry!"
So this is the way it happens over there, right? Really?!?
Re:Why they shouldn't.. (Score:2, Funny)
That's the point at which you go to the pet store and pick up 27 kittens.
When the agents come to inspect the well-being of your children, you show them your "babies".
Re:Why they shouldn't.. (Score:4, Funny)
what, like '9' ?
Re:works fine in Sweden (Score:4, Funny)
My apologies, I now recognise that your country is actually a shithole, and I will never make claims about it being a nice, clean, efficient, liveable place again.
Although, I do apologise for the speeding ticket thing - it's actually Switzerland that bases fines on income.
-Nano.
Re:Intuit Isn't the Only Problem (Score:3, Funny)
I see what you did there.
Re:Why they shouldn't.. (Score:1, Funny)
Call any vegetable; Call it by name, and the vegetable will respond...