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TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

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Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#51

Post by NovemberWhiskey »

civilized wrote: post #41
NovemberWhiskey wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've lived and paid taxes in three of the G7 countries, including the US. For what it's worth, I've had to fill out tax assessment forms of greater-or-lesser complexity in all of them. The US is certainly the worst, but the trope that "all other major economies just take care of the tax for you" isn't exactly right.

So long as you're equally critical of all statements that "aren't exactly right" even when they come from groups that advocate for your political preferences, this is a totally fine and reasonable comment.

My comment is totally fine and reasonable because it's based on me sharing my personal experiences with others on HN, who may not have similar experience. The insinuation that this somehow comes from a viewpoint of political bias in uncalled for.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#52

Post by WillPostForFood »

grayhatter wrote: post #10
minikites wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's both.

Some people think UBI is a good idea, some bad. It's probably fair to say it's both. Simple, easy, and free tax submission is pretty universally believed to be a good thing. Except from lobbyists... that's what I meant to convey. There was also a subtle comment about Us vs Them politically being harmful, where Us vs Them (lobbyists) is likely helpful.

Let me add to this. The process of legislation has gotten too big and complicated. Congress is passing fewer, larger bills, that include hundreds of small things that get passed without review or agreement, because there is an overriding interest in getting the big things done. Lobbyists don't need to buy a majority of votes, just find a couple people who may already be aligned them, who are willing to continually try to attach changes to bills.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#53

Post by jmholla »

matwood wrote: post #44
s_dev wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Money. Receiving money is the fundamental difference between lobbying and discussing policy with constituents.

Not really - constituents donate money.

Your average constituent can't and doesn't wine and dine their representatives.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#54

Post by ChrisLomont »

grayhatter wrote: post #2

We're sorry the answer to "why can't we have nice things" wasn't [political party], it was lobbyists . Lobbyists is the answer to, "why can't we have nice things"!

>Lobbyists is the answer to, "why can't we have nice things"!

It's also the answer to why we have a lot of nice things. It's how experts can get their voices heard over popular beliefs when laws are created. Without this lobbying bills on complex issues would have little chance of being useful, since without experts lobbying for nuances those crafting the laws would not have the expertise to create good laws.

Lobbying groups include electoral reform groups, small business groups, human rights groups, child healthcare groups, and on and on.

The second biggest lobbiest by spending in 2019 [1] was lobbying for immigration, foreign relations, and disaster planning. These seems like reasonably good things for society.

Lumping all lobbying into one simple basket is terribly shortsighted.

[1] https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/top-spenders?cy...

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#55

Post by patentatt »

judge2020 wrote: post #50
lotsofpulp wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not use the official IRS free file forms?

Based on this site[0], it looks like you have to use a 'partner' to file the forms if you make under $72,000 a year, is that right? 0: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-f...

The IRS site gives that impression, but I believe that's not the case. There is "IRS Free File" which is income limited as you mention, but there is also "Free File Fillable Forms" which appears to not be income limited. Intentionally misleading if you ask me.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#56

Post by u678u »

The reason we have complicated taxes in the US is because US politicians make it complicated. Trump actually did a good job to simplify by increasing the standard deduction and effectively removing AMT. Still its complicated because every politician wants their little tweak.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#58

Post by kemitche »

mywittyname wrote: post #49
klmadfejno wrote: post #21

I used to say turbo tax wasn't that bad, and that free filing was easy if you just ignored their promises to save you money if you upgraded. Last year however I got all the way to the end of the process where they revealed I made too much and had to pay. That felt extremely unethical, as the information required to come to that conclusion was available far earlier in the process. And yet what am I going to do but use…

Credit Karma is free. Works great, and has no discernable dark patterns. They even have import features from major payroll companies like ADP. I had to quit turbotax because one year I was a 1099 worker and every year since, it pushes me to go with their "small business edition." Each year it got harder to avoid "upgrading." Seriously, just do it. Quitting TT is so much easier than quitting anything else.

> Credit Karma is free.

That just makes me wonder what Credit Karma is getting out of the deal.

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#59

Post by asavadatti »

klmadfejno wrote: post #21

I used to say turbo tax wasn't that bad, and that free filing was easy if you just ignored their promises to save you money if you upgraded. Last year however I got all the way to the end of the process where they revealed I made too much and had to pay. That felt extremely unethical, as the information required to come to that conclusion was available far earlier in the process. And yet what am I going to do but use…

Unless your taxes are really simple I’d suggest hiring a professional to do it for you. It is money well spent

Re: TurboTax Tricked You into Paying to File Your Taxes (2019)

#60

Post by LocalH »

judge2020 wrote: post #50
lotsofpulp wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not use the official IRS free file forms?

Based on this site[0], it looks like you have to use a 'partner' to file the forms if you make under $72,000 a year, is that right? 0: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-f...

I don’t feel like that’s required, more like if you make over $72,000 that you’re required to file the forms yourself
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