• pwnicholson@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • hiddengoat@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      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.

    • sugar_in_your_tea
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      1 year ago

      Nah, the process should be:

      1. IRS sends you a letter (or email if you choose that) with a summary (includes exp dependents, prior year deductions, etc)
      2. You optionally file a correction
      3. You pay what you owe or get a check

      That’s it. And taxpayers could update their profile at any point in the year as things change, or just wait until the end of the year and file something.

      This way most people don’t need to file anything.