OT Why does the IRS need $80 billion? Just look at its cafeteria.

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by SlyPokerDog, Aug 9, 2022.

  1. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    My bad. Updated to the more recent one. Not sure how that old link got in there.

    They already have most of that data from companies doing quarterly filings.

    Again, many first world countries do this. It's not difficult.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2022
  2. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I completely agree with this - most people should not have to file tax returns at all, or at most they should be able to log in, and check a checkbox that says 'yes, I agree with the IRS's calculation of my tax liability'. It's a huge undertaking for an agency that's been hobbled by lack of funding for any sort of innovation whatsoever, but it is definitely the direction that they should be going.

    I would guess, though, that a side effect of this will be to cause third-party tax software to go up dramatically in price, because the customer base will be a fraction of what it is now.

    barfo
     
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  3. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    That's okay though. The people who need it should be the ones who cover the cost. Especially since they are the ones who can afford it.
     
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  4. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    What info do you think they have from quarterly filings? They get a breakdown on Form 941 of their entire companies payroll for that quarter, but nothing about each individual taxpayer. And those are filed wrong ALL THE TIME. Payroll companies have zero idea what or how payroll affects a tax return so they mess things up.

    The annual return and 4th quarter payroll filings are due like the same time the W-2 is.
     
  5. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    Tax preparers don't charge that much for someone that only has a w-2 unless it is a brick and mortar h&r block type or a huge cpa firm. Maybe $100-200 depending who it is.

    Turbotax and h&r block don't make that much if you file it yourself either. Every year h&r block at home is like $30 for their basic software and they let you file 5 federal returns for that.
     
  6. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    But I don wanna pay more! Wah!

    No, you are right, it's ok.

    barfo
     
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  7. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Tax prep software in total is an $11B per year business. Yes, it doesn't cost each taxpayer much to use (even if you get all the bells and whistles, it's only around $100-200), but there are a huge number of customers.

    barfo
     
  8. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    I don't disagree. I'm just saying there are multiple options for people to file if they simply have a w-2 and their returns aren't complicated at all that barely cost anything as is (not including the free options).
     
  9. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    And I don't disagree with that.

    barfo
     
  10. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    The problem is, that encourages them to lobby for more complicated tax law. Which is exactly what they do.

    The incentives are wrong.
     
  11. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    Its not just them. Everyone lobbies for tax law.

    And unfortunately we have a complex economy.
     
  12. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Of course everyone argues for tax law. But this is a problem we can actually solve for the vast majority of people.

    And we can solve it fairly simply using modern technology. Other countries (with just as complex economies) solved this problem decades ago.
     
  13. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    Good luck. Everyone likes to say something is super easy to do, then when it happens they bitch incessantly.

    The State Of Oregon just updated their technology like 5 years ago and everyone bitches about how horrible and annoying it is.
     
  14. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    I would certainly advocate for more technically capable government reps. That's another conversation altogether.

    The government is fully capable of making a website. They are fully capable of calculating taxes.

    But yes, government can fuck stuff up. They should be better. I completely agree.
     
  15. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    The point is, just like the president, even if he was Jesus, people would bitch about it.

    The government could make a website where someone just needs to login to get a $1,000 a month UBI check and people would still bitch.
     
  16. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    That's true.
     
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  17. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    It is universally true. So not particularly relevant to a discussion of the IRS.

    barfo
     
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  18. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Correct.
     
  19. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    It is exaggerated worse when it comes to governmental entities.

    If only they did this! That would make other people bitch and it isn't as easy as a snap of the fingers like people like to project.
     
  20. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    It's definitely a major undertaking. And people will always bitch, but that's not a reason not to do it.

    barfo
     

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