this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
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IRS will pilot free, direct tax filing in 2024::Direct File is a shot across the bows of Turbotax, H&R Block, and others who have resisted free and simple tax filing for decades.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That guy is obviously exaggerating for effect and you are technically correct, but he's not wrong.

Companies like Inuit and H&R Block have been lobbying for ages to keep the free file forms ridiculously overcomplicated, difficult to navigate/complete, and dangerously generalized to the point where if you mis-interpret a line on one of your several non-intuitively named financial forms you will be committing tax fraud

It is objectively easier, safer, and more convenient to file taxes through one of these private companies and the is by design.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Thank you -- the point I was trying to make is that technically USians can file their own taxes, but that it's overly complicated, and many believe intentionally obfuscated, in order to push citizens to use private corps to do it for them (at a healthy profit for said corps).

Whereas, in Canada (and as I understand it, most other nations) the tax system is not so baroque as to discourage people from doing it themselves.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I've been doing my own taxes for 22 years, it's not hard