Have you actually done a large, nuanced return by hand. What does X mean? Where is X in this form? (cuz they don’t use the same name). And do I need a Form 1234-56-A for that?
Like I understand what all of the concepts, but confirming and digesting the rules and paperwork is non trivial. Paying 300/hr for accountants to do it is even more painful.
The 1040ez is even worse! Everything in the 1040ez the government already has on you!
1040 with a schedule A I get. If you have some sort of situation where you need to deduct medical debt or something like that, something the government wouldn’t already have.
But 1040ez…literally is you just sending the government the info on your W-2.
Have you actually done a large, nuanced return by hand. What does X mean? Where is X in this form? (cuz they don’t use the same name). And do I need a Form 1234-56-A for that?
Like I understand what all of the concepts, but confirming and digesting the rules and paperwork is non trivial. Paying 300/hr for accountants to do it is even more painful.
No, I’m only 40 so I’ve never had to do a tax return by hand, I’ve always used a program.
Which is exactly what Intuit and TurboTax want.
Taxes should not require a third party to complete.
It should be the government saying, “Based on the information we have available, you owe $x. If you believe that is incorrect, please submit Form 1A.”
If you can do a 1040ez I did them by hand regularly until I married an accountant’s daughter and it wasn’t bad
The 1040ez is even worse! Everything in the 1040ez the government already has on you!
1040 with a schedule A I get. If you have some sort of situation where you need to deduct medical debt or something like that, something the government wouldn’t already have.
But 1040ez…literally is you just sending the government the info on your W-2.
That’s it.
And if you get it wrong, straight to jail.
If you just messed up, the penalty is… paying the tax you should have originally. Or receiving the refund you should have originally.
It’s only if you are actually committing fraud (which requires intent) that you go to jail.
Yep, I used the new federal website this year rather than h&r’s free service.