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by compiler-guy 1927 days ago
They don't already know. Sometimes they have suspicions, and then perform an audit, or request more information about a particular detail, by which they get the information they might need.

Only then do they actually know.

For example, you yourself may have filed with the status, "Married, filing separately", but the other person in your relationship may have filed with the status, "Single".

The IRS has no idea who is right without actually talking to the two of you. And because they don't know which status is correct, they don't know how much each of you owe.
1 comments
mixmastamyk 1927 days ago
They do know almost everything and learning more every day. Of course there are extenuating circumstances, which you will list and have to prove if a question comes up. This is not an excuse for tax filing being more difficult than it needs to be.
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compiler-guy 1927 days ago
The great-grandparent's claim is that they already know. They don't already know. I can list two dozen things off the top of my head that they don't already know.

Should tax filing be easier? Sure. But, "They already know how much you owe." is patently false.

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mixmastamyk 1926 days ago
It's an approximation, and they will come looking for it if you don't file. So yes, it does have some level of truth (and force) behind it.
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