Need help filing out your tax return? Don't call the IRS

[Roadrunner]

Every year before April 15, several groups do a survey in which they call the IRS some dozen times with questions on pretty straightforward tax issues. They usually get half a dozen different (and often contradictory) answers. All from the IRS!

But if you include one of those wrong answers on your tax returns, they will audit you and penalize you for it.

It's quite a racket. And points out just how confusing the tax code can be.

well, actually, they do not penalize you for it. If you make an error and they find it, they calculate the difference and bill you for it. They give you about a month to pay it without penalty.
On the flip side, I once made a mathematical error against myself and they actually CALLED me to inform me of the error and assured me that the difference they OWED me would be sent to me in a timely manner...and it was.

Same here; they catch errors both ways.

I still think the form should be short and simple, with 90% of people being able to do their own form, or better yet, just getting a bill in the mail since they already know what we make anyway.

 

[Jarhead]

Every year before April 15, several groups do a survey in which they call the IRS some dozen times with questions on pretty straightforward tax issues. They usually get half a dozen different (and often contradictory) answers. All from the IRS!

But if you include one of those wrong answers on your tax returns, they will audit you and penalize you for it.

It's quite a racket. And points out just how confusing the tax code can be.

well, actually, they do not penalize you for it. If you make an error and they find it, they calculate the difference and bill you for it. They give you about a month to pay it without penalty.
On the flip side, I once made a mathematical error against myself and they actually CALLED me to inform me of the error and assured me that the difference they OWED me would be sent to me in a timely manner...and it was.

Same here; they catch errors both ways.

I still think the form should be short and simple, with 90% of people being able to do their own form, or better yet, just getting a bill in the mail since they already know what we make anyway.

The "bill" idea is not such a bad idea. It will cut down on tax cheats. Right now, the only time they cross reference an individuals returns with the w-2's and 1099's submitted by the employers is during an audit (be it a field or office audit). If they bill YOU, then they are working with the information furnished by the employer...and most employers would not fake a w-2 to help an employee save on tax money.

 

[Roadrunner]

Every year before April 15, several groups do a survey in which they call the IRS some dozen times with questions on pretty straightforward tax issues. They usually get half a dozen different (and often contradictory) answers. All from the IRS!

But if you include one of those wrong answers on your tax returns, they will audit you and penalize you for it.

It's quite a racket. And points out just how confusing the tax code can be.

well, actually, they do not penalize you for it. If you make an error and they find it, they calculate the difference and bill you for it. They give you about a month to pay it without penalty.
On the flip side, I once made a mathematical error against myself and they actually CALLED me to inform me of the error and assured me that the difference they OWED me would be sent to me in a timely manner...and it was.

Same here; they catch errors both ways.

I still think the form should be short and simple, with 90% of people being able to do their own form, or better yet, just getting a bill in the mail since they already know what we make anyway.

The "bill" idea is not such a bad idea. It will cut down on tax cheats. Right now, the only time they cross reference an individuals returns with the w-2's and 1099's submitted by the employers is during an audit (be it a field or office audit). If they bill YOU, then they are working with the information furnished by the employer...and most employers would not fake a w-2 to help an employee save on tax money.

Most people would not risk the IRS on their asses by cheating and hiding income.

Of course, some would.

I don't even mind being taxed, but, everyone should have skin in the game

I'd be amenable to community service being a form of paying a basic head tax, just to get everyone in the game.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Yeah, our tax code was SO simple before President Obama was elected.

It was so easy that everyone just figured their taxes on a bar napkin.

Darn that President Obama.

Who mentioned Obama?

Roadrunner

The OP.

Duh.

 

[Freewill]

They do offer books on how to do taxes, but they have never allowed you to call them for tax advice or form preparation..

I've never called the IRS, I just read how to do it...

What do you mean never? I have called them in the past, never really all that helpful.

 

[Freewill]

They do offer books on how to do taxes, but they have never allowed you to call them for tax advice or form preparation..

I've never called the IRS, I just read how to do it...

I have a new tactic.

I fill the form out until it stumps me, stop there, and then write an explanation, and a check for the highest amount I think I could possibly owe.

I have done this twice, and got refunds for overpayment both times.

Beats paying $350 or so of a refund just to get your own money back.

I have done that when there was interest and penalties involved.....when I file for extensions. The formula for figuring out interest and penalties is almost impossible to figure out.

It is the state form that gives me Hell.

I usually can handle the Federal.

Since they know everything you make, legally at least, anyway, they could save a lot of money(H&R Block et al would never allow it)
if they just eliminated all the deductions and credits, etc, completely, and sent us a reasonable bill each year, or, even each quarter.

You should see the one from Missouri, they have so many rules it's makes you dizzy, until you get the PC version software and fill it out...

The calculation of taxes should not be a financial burden to the taxpayer.

I did my own from 16 to my late 50's, and then it got too complicated.

I paid to get it done, but always hated it, so now, I just guesstimate, and let them figure it out.

That should be an option, up at the top.

Just check You Figure It Out!!!

Not sure I want the IRS to figure it out.

They are saying that the new rules are making it hard if not impossible to do taxes on line. So maybe your idea will come true.

 

[Freewill]

Every year before April 15, several groups do a survey in which they call the IRS some dozen times with questions on pretty straightforward tax issues. They usually get half a dozen different (and often contradictory) answers. All from the IRS!

But if you include one of those wrong answers on your tax returns, they will audit you and penalize you for it.

It's quite a racket. And points out just how confusing the tax code can be.

well, actually, they do not penalize you for it. If you make an error and they find it, they calculate the difference and bill you for it. They give you about a month to pay it without penalty.
On the flip side, I once made a mathematical error against myself and they actually CALLED me to inform me of the error and assured me that the difference they OWED me would be sent to me in a timely manner...and it was.

Same here; they catch errors both ways.

I still think the form should be short and simple, with 90% of people being able to do their own form, or better yet, just getting a bill in the mail since they already know what we make anyway.

The "bill" idea is not such a bad idea. It will cut down on tax cheats. Right now, the only time they cross reference an individuals returns with the w-2's and 1099's submitted by the employers is during an audit (be it a field or office audit). If they bill YOU, then they are working with the information furnished by the employer...and most employers would not fake a w-2 to help an employee save on tax money.

In my opinion it will not cut down on the tax cheats it might even incease them. Say you get a bill for taxes but 1/2 you income was hidden. You could say too bad for the IRS. But if they ASK you what is your income and you lie, you go to jail.

 

[Freewill]

They have had 6 years to prepare for this democrat caused clusterf... Thanks Obama your legacy is now complete.

Need help filing out your tax return Don t call the IRS - Yahoo News

WASHINGTON (AP) — Filing a federal tax return is about to get more complicated for millions of families because of President Barack Obama's health law. But they shouldn't expect much help from the Internal Revenue Service.

Got a question for the IRS? Good luck reaching someone by phone. The tax agency says only half of the 100 million people expected to call this year will be able to reach a person.

Callers who do get through may have to wait on hold for 30 minutes or more to talk to someone who will answer only the simplest questions.

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5. IRS Says Tax-Filing Season Will Start On Time in 2015 The Wall Street Journal

Increasing the IRS from 20,000 to over 100,000 workers is paying dividends.

They should make it as efficient as the VA, Health & Human Services, Homeland Security, the Center For Desease Control, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

LOL I think they have made it as efficient.