[bmitc]

I still don't understand why tax returns aren't primarily automatic. Every year, I have these forms that I collect that were all generated automatically, and most of them are sent to the IRS anyway (or the data they contain). So why can't I login to some IRS website, choose how I want to file, report anything extra, and then hit submit?

[Broken_Hippo]

Moving overseas made me even more angry at the American tax filing system.

Literally, what I do for Norwegian taxes:

1. Get a letter stating that they've calculated last years' taxes. 2. Look at the tax authority's website and as long as things are correct, I don't have to do anything else, though I can click a conform button. (I usually do) 3. Wait for refund - IIRC, they pay out in summertime. Or alternatively, pay tax if you owe.

You get the choice of doing it yourself and filing differently and stuff, but I don't see the point.