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IRS has launched its free tax filing service, Direct File, in 12 states (arstechnica.com)

submitted 6 months ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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"Direct File provides a free, secure option for taxpayers with simple tax situations in 12 states to file their taxes directly with the IRS," the Treasury Department said. "Direct File is easy to use, with no hidden junk fees, and works as well on a smartphone as it does on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Direct File shows taxpayers the math so they can be sure that their return is accurate, and they are getting the refund they are entitled to."

You can check whether you qualify to use the system at directfile.irs.gov. Based on the eligibility restrictions in the IRS program, the Treasury Department said it "estimates that one-third of all federal income tax returns filed could be prepared using Direct File."

But there are many limits that would prevent taxpayers from using the system.

What you can and can’t file

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[–] 3volver@lemmy.world 17 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Imagine going to the only grocery store available, there are no prices on any of the items, you shop there because you're starving and have no choice.

You go to the checkout after each time you shop and there is a single cashier that says this:

"Fuck you. In about a couple months we'll demand that you figure out how much you owe us. If you don't figure it out then we'll potentially place criminal charges against you. Thanks for shopping here."

You realize that you have no fucking clue about how much the stuff you bought costs because it changes all the time and nothing is labelled and there's no system for keeping track.

Welcome to the tax system in America.

[–] douglasg14b@lemmy.world -2 points 6 months ago

It only works that way if you are willfully ignorant. As does everything else in the world.

You can easily calculate your taxes, and your necessary withholdings from that on your W4. There's even a stupid simple grid to match your income to on one of the pages...

It's like a grocery store where you know the prices, but they're rounded to the nearest $0.01. but at checkout you have to make up the difference that wasn't shown on the price tags. Which overall constitutes a minimal portion of your overall bill.