About a year ago, I got audited by the IRS. It was 100% my fault; I had sold a good chunk of stock in 2020 and but forgot to report the capital gains on my tax form (a tax form that was, evidently, automatically approved by the fed in about ten minutes!).
So last year I got a bill in the mail for $8,000; $7,000 for the actual taxes I owed, and a $1,000 fine. I was able to call and get the fine lowered (thanks to advice I received in HN actually!) and I wasn't "angry" with anyone but myself. I did owe the money, I didn't blame the IRS for wanting it.
But it did kind of make me wonder something: if the government was able to find out that I screwed up on my taxes, then why am I doing anything? Clearly they have all the data and information necessary to determine how much I actually owed, and clearly they were able to spot my mistake, so why make me pay $60 for TurboTax at all? Why not just send me a bill or refund every year?
This is a step in the right direction.
So last year I got a bill in the mail for $8,000; $7,000 for the actual taxes I owed, and a $1,000 fine. I was able to call and get the fine lowered (thanks to advice I received in HN actually!) and I wasn't "angry" with anyone but myself. I did owe the money, I didn't blame the IRS for wanting it.
But it did kind of make me wonder something: if the government was able to find out that I screwed up on my taxes, then why am I doing anything? Clearly they have all the data and information necessary to determine how much I actually owed, and clearly they were able to spot my mistake, so why make me pay $60 for TurboTax at all? Why not just send me a bill or refund every year?
This is a step in the right direction.