[jjoonathan]

Most people don't hire lawyers to fight protracted legal battles with the IRS, so it's a bit ridiculous to suggest that we optimize the system for that path. Besides, nobody is suggesting we take that option away from you, or from anyone else who finds it worthwhile.

[andromeduck]

I've never been audited by the IRS but I've been hounded by the CRA (Canada) 3x now and each time it's been a huge pain, one time dragging on more than a year partially because it was so hard getting CA FTB to send me my tax transcript. Every time they've audited me they've ended up having to refund me more, did that stop them?

Right now the IRS thinks I'm using a fake American address for some good forsaken reason despite me paying almost 100k in taxes the last few years under the same name/address. And for what?! Half a penny in taxable intrest?!

[anonymousiam]

I never suggested that the system should be optimized for the < 10% path. I was simply pointing out that the current IRS culture is not based upon accurate accounting. They seem to "accidentally" make errors in their favor, and then send notices out to taxpayers.

I am all for a flat tax. It would be fair and easy.

[jonnycomputer]

I dispute your suggestion that IRS culture tends to make errors accidentally in their favor. First, it is not my experience at all. To me it just sounds like lemons.