cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25117460
Summary
Elon Musk claimed on X that he eliminated the IRS team responsible for the “Direct File” program, which allows Americans to file taxes online for free.
His statement came in response to a right-wing influencer criticizing the program as government overreach.
However, the Treasury Department confirms that the Direct File system remains active, offering free tax filing with customer support.
The program, available in English and Spanish, is optional, allowing taxpayers to choose between using it or filing their taxes manually.
Why on Earth would the US government want it to be difficult for its citizens to file taxes. Surely they want the taxes.
The complicated system means that there are lots of legal loopholes for wealthy people who can afford accountants. The billionaire I knew had it down exactly he how much he needed to to give to a charity, how to play games with moving money between family members…
On the other hand, because it is so complicated, lower class people working multiple shit jobs have to run through hoops and thus probably don’t get the refunds they’ve earned.
Stop assuming they actually mean well.
For most middle and low income families ‘filing taxes’ is how they get the amount they overpaid returned. If they cannot then the government keeps the extra.
Because Quickbooks and TurboTax or whatever wouldn’t be able to charge you out the ass
This pretty much. The IRS already knows how much you’ve paid them and can easily calculate how much you probably owe - they could easily switch to a system where they just send you a check/bill at the end of the year depending on the balance and that you only would have to file if you have a special tax situation, but they won’t as long as tax filing is an industry.