# Why is filing taxes in the US so bass-ackwards? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 3, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762 "2024-04-03T01:28:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/41 "2024-05-31T20:53:34Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Though filling out the state form may be simply a matter of copying data from the completed federal return. It could (and should) be that simple, but every state with income tax has its own website/interface, and the IRS would need to work with each state to port the information from Federal to State. That would include such mundane info as name, address, names of dependents, SSNs, etc. But it certainly could be done, as the tax software companies have demonstrated. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/42 "2024-05-31T20:58:22Z")
That would be necessary if you wanted to automate the process but it _might_ be enough to simply ask the taxpayer to copy and paste the numbers from the federal site to the state site. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/43 "2024-05-31T21:04:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > it _might_ be enough to simply ask the taxpayer to copy and paste the numbers from the federal site to the state site. True, but it would also be necessary to copy and paste your personal information from federal to state, not just the numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/44 "2024-05-31T21:06:23Z")
Well, assuming you _want_ to copy and paste your personal information. I know that I can certainly remember my own name, address and SSN to type it in. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/45 "2024-05-31T21:54:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > it _might_ be enough to simply ask the taxpayer to copy and paste the numbers from the federal site to the state site That is what I do. I use [https://www.freetaxusa.com/](https://www.freetaxusa.com/) for filing federal for free. They’ll automatically transfer relevant information to the state form, but the state form is $15 to file. I copy and paste into `Colorado.gov's` free form, and file that. It is probably not an efficient use of my time, and I should just pay the $15, but it does work. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/46 "2024-05-31T22:02:33Z")
In my experience, and I have never had to fill an American tax form, the people in every single country believe their tax system is the most complicated and convoluted system in the world. They are all probably right. Only the Germans are arguably even worse off. And more expensive, because the taxes are higher. Just in case this is comforting to whomever. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/47 "2024-06-01T02:42:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > assuming you _want_ to copy and paste your personal information. I know that I can certainly remember my own name, address and SSN to type it in. Of course you, and everybody else, can do so. But do you want to have to do it twice when you’re filing your taxes? Or would you rather have the software just transfer it over to the state form for you? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/48 "2024-06-01T02:59:40Z")
Ideally, yes, but currently I buy Turbotax every year because it mostly automates the process. Other people would prefer free solutions and those may require some manual entry. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/49 "2024-06-01T03:02:21Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I buy Turbotax every year because it mostly automates the process. As do I. And most people would prefer automation, rather than copying and pasting. And they would prefer free. This probably won’t ever happen, but we can dream. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/50 "2024-06-01T06:34:52Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Though filling out the state form may be simply a matter of copying data from the completed federal return. For many of us it wouldn’t be a case of copying data once: we think we are done but then notice something we missed–so one might need to copy data from the federal to state return several times. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/51 "2024-06-01T10:52:55Z")
and you notice that “free” federal doesn’t include free state returns for most companies ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/52 "2024-06-01T17:12:05Z")
I can go to my account on the Canada Revenue Agency website and see all the standard tax forms submitted by my employer, bank, etc. for multiple years. Using my tax preparation software, I can download the info directly into my return from within the program. It can be done, and apparently isn’t that difficult to do. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/53 "2024-06-01T21:40:15Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > Using my tax preparation software, I can download the info directly into my return from within the program. It can be done, and apparently isn’t that difficult to do. You never have any income or deductions that have not been reported by your employer? However, I think that in High School there needs to be a course in everyday economics- required- simple tax return, W4, balancing a checking account- spotting common scams, etc ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/54 "2024-06-01T23:32:51Z")
Certainly there are things that I need to enter manually on my return, but the download takes care of at least half of the input without having to worry about typos or missing an entry somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/55 "2024-06-02T02:05:30Z")
Most of you haven’t filed a US return as a foreign resident (which I am in the middle of now). The worst part is the report of foreign bank accounts (of which my wife and I have a dozen or so). For each one you have to enter the name and address of the bank, the account number and the largest amount that was in it during the year. There is no obvious way to automate it. What I did was make a facsimile of the form and use it every year, just updating the numbers. This works but means I cannot file electronically, so I bring a big wad of papers to the post office and buy one their envelopes and mail it. They have never complained about the facsimile. Then I have to send exactly the same information to a different office on a totally different form (actually an editable Adobe form). So I take the form from the previous year, save it under a new name and then edit for the current year. And all this when the foreign tax credit totally wipes out any US taxes owed. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/56 "2024-06-02T02:09:56Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Most of you haven’t filed a US return as a foreign resident I feel your pain, sorta. My VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) group tried to help some foreign students file US returns. We finally had to give up, because we weren’t confident in what we were doing. Instead, they probably had to pay to have their returns filed. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/57 "2024-06-02T03:06:41Z")
Yes. I spent hundreds of dollars every year just to tell the IRS that I owe them nothing. And I really hate FATCA: it’s none of their damn business what bank accounts I have. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/58 "2024-06-02T18:43:51Z")
If you are a US citizen, it most certainly is their business. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/59 "2024-06-02T21:23:02Z")
Bullshit. My income is their business. Do you, O Americans resident in America, tell them the location and highest daily balance of every bank account you hold? Why should I be held to a different standard? As long as I report all income and pay the appropriate taxes (and I do), they don’t need to know the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762/60 "2024-06-02T22:06:41Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Do you, O Americans resident in America, tell them the location and highest daily balance of every bank account you hold? No, but we have to report the balances of all foreign accounts, if the total is great than $10k. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-filing-taxes-in-the-us-so-bass-ackwards/999762.md?page=2)