F... Filing Taxes

[mlmpetert]

I do my own taxes by hand because i need to know basic/general income tax stuff for work. Doing it each year helps with keeping me fresh. But its definitely a major pain, just getting everything together is a significant undertaking. Which brings me to my one political point...... The amount of intellectual resources America is forced to waste on everything income tax related is horrendous. Most CPA's are pretty smart dudes, imagine if they were spending their time doing something much more significant in society. I believe our people are America’s best natural resource and it seems like we are wasting so much of it with our ridiculously income tax requirements.

Alright with that said, if you are lower income and dont feel like doing your taxes check out VITA:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

I did some volunteering with them back in the day and its a well run program. Completely free. They do everything for you (i think state too). Just make sure you ask them ahead of time exactly what youre supposed to bring. Some places allow walk ins, others require appointments. I believe you are supposed to have income of up 50k or so (although the DC area may be higher).

Another option is to just send all your crap to the IRS. I had a lengthy conversation with an IRS guy a year or so ago and they will do your taxes for you. Just fill out the basics with a crayon and send them everything paperclip’d to a note that says "Thanks!". This really only works for people with simple tax returns, because you may know something the IRS doesn’t and miss out on a deduction or credit.

I think everyone should do taxes by hand because it helps you stay in touch with how monstrousness our tax code has become. Also, making it easy on the IRS to do you taxes by e-filing just makes it easier for the tax code to become less easy for you. Even if you do everything on turbo tax or with an accountant, I would suggest printing it out and mailing it in instead of submitting it electronically. Think about the issues it would cause if everyone like Firstdown sent in their 3k tax return by mail instead of electronic delivery.

Doing your taxes by hand also helps you become aware of additional deductions you may be entitled to that you otherwise would not have caught. It can also help you get a earlier start for next year so you can plan accordingly and take advantage of the social incentives the government is offering.