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by cle 1857 days ago
It's because they don't actually know how much taxes you owe. They aren't omniscient (thankfully) so they don't know e.g. how much in deductions you should have.

(I agree that #2 is a big problem, but I don't think it's actually the reason we file taxes.)
1 comments
maxerickson 1857 days ago
People mostly take the standard deduction.

(85-90% of households in recent years)

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jandrese 1857 days ago
Yes, but only because I got capped out on deductions before I exceeded what the standard deduction would give me. Increased my tax burden about 1.5% overall that year. Not as much the next year because I had much less charitable giving. Sure am glad I'm getting to pay for all of the stuff those rich people aren't anymore thanks to their massive tax break.

Oh, and my taxes are supposed to increase even more once the Trump tax holiday for the middle class expires in 2025. Luckily for corporations it is permanent for them. That tax plan was the most blatant government handout to the 1% and for some reason 40% of Americans think it's the best tax plan ever.

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maxerickson 1857 days ago
A majority of people took the standard deduction prior to the changes too, just not quite such a big majority.

In any case, the standard deduction does have the effect of significantly reducing the administrative burden of taxation, and it crosses off one of the arguments used in favor of pointlessly complex tax filing.

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bananabreakfast 1857 days ago
It will be far more now after the Trump tax bill as well.

You now have to be able to deduct over $24k to not take the standard deduction.

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