this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
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Better idea: Just give us our goddamn money back since all we're doing is filing so you can match what we say you owe us with what you say you owe us. Skip the step and just cut a check. FFS.
Seriously. filing always feels like a math test with really scary consequences.
They don't know how many deductable donations you made in the year, major purchases you want to write off the taxes for, other deductions you qualify for, tax credits from home improvements, etc. You'd have to do a simple flat tax system with no deductions or credits for that to work.
Then do the Swedish system. They send you a form with your information, you verify it, and if it's correct you just flippin' text them and they send you your money. If you have other deductions or additions you send them the information.
Whatever the case, the government already knows your regular earnings and for anyone that doesn't take extra deductions there's no reason not to simplify it to that extent.
you forgot about the hundreds of annual changes Congress makes to the tax code that the IRS is tasked with implementing