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C00LAS1CE
Joined: 14 Feb 2010
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 Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so.
I'm not some anti-government libertarian who thinks all taxes should be abolished, but there HAS to be a better alternative to the income tax. When almost half of American households don't even have to pay income taxes to the federal government because they don't make enough money, it seems ridiculous that all of those people would have to spend the time and effort filing. We are all still paying payroll taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, etc. on both the federal and state levels, so everybody is still contributing.
It seems like it would make much more sense to only apply a progressive income tax (on both the federal and state levels) on the top 1.5% who make over $250K. If this was applied, the size of the IRS could be shrunk dramatically and be run much more efficiently since it has to deal with only a fraction of the amount of people. Discuss. |
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hondaicivic
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: Daegu, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so.
I'm not some anti-government libertarian who thinks all taxes should be abolished, but there HAS to be a better alternative to the income tax. When almost half of American households don't even have to pay income taxes to the federal government because they don't make enough money, it seems ridiculous that all of those people would have to spend the time and effort filing. We are all still paying payroll taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, etc. on both the federal and state levels, so everybody is still contributing.
It seems like it would make much more sense to only apply a progressive income tax (on both the federal and state levels) on the top 1.5% who make over $250K. If this was applied, the size of the IRS could be shrunk dramatically and be run much more efficiently since it has to deal with only a fraction of the amount of people. Discuss. |
- Why is the US tax system so complex?......Ask yourself this
- Why does the FED exist? Why is it a coincidence that when they pass the Federal Reserve Act in 1913 , they also pass the Income Tax Law as well? Why is it when JFK signed executive order 11110 on June 4th, 1964 to strip the monetary power away from the FED, he got capped 5 months later? When you find the answers to these questions, then you will know why our tax system is so complex. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so. |
I'm not going to defend the US tax code, which is as you say, byzantine. But you should be able to file your taxes. There are plenty of services that simplify this process, including software like Turbotax. If you're not looking to hit every deduction, Turbotax might be a wise investment. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:44 am Post subject: |
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| It's complicated because most congressmen want to reward their constituents and/or campaign donors by passing some tax exemption for them. Every 20-30 years we should reform our income tax codes. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Democrats |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| Democrats |
I hope you're attempting to make a joke. |
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Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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| To keep accountants employed. |
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RMNC
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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| If you can think of a simpler way to do it I'd like to know. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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| bucheon bum wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
| Democrats |
I hope you're attempting to make a joke. |
Sort of. I mean that's what the Becksters would say.
But there is a grain of truth to it, I mean its not the Democrats that advocate a flat tax or abolishing Income Tax. On the other hand all the loopholes and tax breaks come from Republicans. |
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kprrok
Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Location: KC
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| RMNC wrote: |
| If you can think of a simpler way to do it I'd like to know. |
Here's a REALLY simple tax form...
1.) Name
2.) SSN
3.) Job info
4.) Salary earned
5a.) If (4) is less than XXXX, you owe 0.
5b.) If (4) is more than xxxx, you owe zzzz.
6.) Amount withheld
7.) - Amount Owed (from (5)
8.) = Refund / Balance Due
Any questions? |
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hondaicivic
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: Daegu, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| kprrok wrote: |
| RMNC wrote: |
| If you can think of a simpler way to do it I'd like to know. |
Here's a REALLY simple tax form...
1.) Name
2.) SSN
3.) Job info
4.) Salary earned
5a.) If (4) is less than XXXX, you owe 0.
5b.) If (4) is more than xxxx, you owe zzzz.
6.) Amount withheld
7.) - Amount Owed (from (5)
8.) = Refund / Balance Due
Any questions? |
It was a lot simpler than that before the creation of the FED.... |
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C00LAS1CE
Joined: 14 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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| Kuros wrote: |
| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so. |
I'm not going to defend the US tax code, which is as you say, byzantine. But you should be able to file your taxes. There are plenty of services that simplify this process, including software like Turbotax. If you're not looking to hit every deduction, Turbotax might be a wise investment. |
Actually I tried 3 different tax services, including Turbotax. Ran into roadblocks with all of them. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| Kuros wrote: |
| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so. |
I'm not going to defend the US tax code, which is as you say, byzantine. But you should be able to file your taxes. There are plenty of services that simplify this process, including software like Turbotax. If you're not looking to hit every deduction, Turbotax might be a wise investment. |
Actually I tried 3 different tax services, including Turbotax. Ran into roadblocks with all of them. |
What the heck is so difficult?? Took me MAYBE an hour to do my taxes this year. |
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lithium
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| Demacrats. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Why is the US tax system so needlessly complicated? |
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| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| Kuros wrote: |
| C00LAS1CE wrote: |
| I've always wondered this, but attempting this year to file US taxes on both the federal and state levels while living abroad has left me in complete confusion, even after hours of research. I honestly have given up, I don't care if I get audited (again) because I already know I make so little I won't have to pay anything regardless. I have always found the filing of income taxes to be needlessly complicated even as someone who has never really made any money, and I think most Americans would probably agree with me, seeing as how so many of us despise the IRS. I have a college degree and I still have trouble just filling out just a 1040EZ form. How can it possibly be expected for the average citizen to figure these type of things out on their own? Is the filing of income of taxes in other countries this bad? I can't imagine so. |
I'm not going to defend the US tax code, which is as you say, byzantine. But you should be able to file your taxes. There are plenty of services that simplify this process, including software like Turbotax. If you're not looking to hit every deduction, Turbotax might be a wise investment. |
Actually I tried 3 different tax services, including Turbotax. Ran into roadblocks with all of them. |
Did you have trouble with withholding? Because you seem to be withholding information from us. What roadblocks? |
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