Fuck that, I’ll mail my taxes in if I have to. They tried to bring that shit into the IRS login process a couple of years ago and they wanted a full scan of my driver’s license, front and back, and then a “video selfie” taken with a webcam. When the site tried to turn on my webcam I closed it and ended the entire process. I don’t even remember what I was logging into their site to get, but I said fuck it and didn’t get it and it was fine. I’d rather pay H&R block $75 to file online to avoid a government face-login.
I still mail paper for my taxes - partly because of shit like this and also as a fuck-you for the IRS to change their ways and adopt a better system (eg, the European system where you basically check a box if the amount you owe looks correct - they already know how much you paid so why all the mental gymnastics and instruction reading?).
it’s not the irs’ fault the “system” is as it is. they’re limited to what congressional actions (laws and budget) allow.
i also still file through the mail because with no assets or investments and a low income, they’re simple af to do. it rarely changes year-to-year except the figures from the tables.
I still file by mail because if somebody were to do something with my taxes in transit, it’s a federal crime vs e-filing where everybody whose network it passes through gets a copy, legally.
Speaking of which, apparently the IRS is testing a free online tax calculator
That’s definitely not how it works in all European countries. We have the same shit system where you have to calculate taxes yourself even if they already know most of the numbers.
And if it’s wrong you need to correct it or get fined.
Counter point: if you don’t do it, someone else might do it for you, stealing your identity, filing fake returns or unemployment etc.
I’m not worried about that, considering that it’s a small chance vs the large chance that the government will abuse any data they collect.
They already have most of it. You can never protect yourself against the government you reside under in this way.
