That particular one is solved in other countries. The tax authority just sends you a bill and you text yes or no. Only people with very complex situations need to file.

They don't do this in this country because (a) it's a political project to make people to sympathize with the rich by feeling their pain (b) it's a great scheme for legalized corruption by creating incentives to build companies around a fake problem.

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avadodin 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Literally everything could be derived automatically by the government in current year so filing taxes feels like entrapment, but I like that idea.

They not only do that —saving you so many worries— but then you get to be medieval about it and say: no, I challenge the tax authority to a duel.

	▲	twoodfin an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Literally everything could be derived automatically by the government in current year… The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the most important transfers embedded in the tax code. It provides about $70B to low-income workers every year. Take a look at the eligibility criteria: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-in... You can claim the EITC if you are married, not filing a joint return, had a qualifying child who lived with you for more than half of the tax year and either of the following apply. - You lived apart from your spouse for the last 6 months of tax year, or - You were legally separated according to your state law under a written separation agreement, or a decree of separate maintenance and you didn't live in the same household as your spouse at the end of the tax year. … You can claim the head of household filing status if you're not married, had a qualifying child living with you more than half the year, and you paid more than half the costs of keeping up your home. No, the government can’t derive this all “automatically”.

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User23 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Actually you can do this in the USA.

You can just ask the IRS for your "tax transcripts" and do the data entry. People don't do this because it leaves tons of money on the table.

Now you might say that a tax game that rewards skilled play is bad. But are you sure about that? Because everyone with influence over the system (who all happen to be skilled players) happens to be quite fond of the game, observably speaking.

	▲	crote an hour ago \| parent [-]
		> People don't do this because it leaves tons of money on the table. In my country I literally got a letter from the government if I could please file my taxes, because they believe the automatic deductions are too high so I am likely owed a back payment. In a previous year (I am not very good with non-timing-critical paperwork) they even called me on my personal cell to inform me about something similar. The slogan of our tax collection agency is "we can't make it more enjoyable, we can only make it easier". If you're a regular employee and your taxes - deductibles or not - are a hassle, then that's 100% a political choice.