Years ago, I ran across the most fascinating turn of phrase -- "eat your own dog food." It was in the context of the development of Windows NT, and it referred to the point where the developers had to actually start using the operating system so they could properly appreciate the end-user's experience.
I was reminded of that when I saw this video:
Yup, that's the head of the IRS stating that he doesn't do his own taxes. He relies on a tax preparer, because the Tax Code's too complicated.
Wouldn't it be fun if there was a law that demanded that the top officials at the IRS prepare their own taxes? Along with the president, vice-president, and members of Congress?
These are the people charged with shaping and enforcing the tax code. If they're doing their jobs correctly, then doing their own taxes themselves (with maybe some software -- but Tim Geithner should not be allowed anywhere near TurboTax, which I have used for about a decade) shouldn't be that difficult. They shouldn't need the assistance of private individuals and companies to walk them through it.
Especially private tax preparers who are apparently so inept, the government is considering a nationalized registration and competency testing for tax preparers. This is the same IRS who, if you ask for help, will give you the wrong answer at least 20% of the time -- and you are on the hook if you follow their bad advice.
So the head of the IRS thinks the tax code is too complicated? I suspect that Chris Dodd, Charlie Rangel, Tim Geithner, Ron Kirk, Hilda Solis, Tom Daschle, and Nancy Killefer would agree.
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Comments (11)
It's Congress that puts the... (Below threshold)1. Posted by jpe | January 14, 2010 3:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's Congress that puts the code together. The IRS's role is limited to putting the forms together and crafting rules where Congress has told it to.
1. Posted by jpe | January 14, 2010 3:24 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 15:24
2. Posted by Kristian | January 14, 2010 3:44 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
To be fair (not that that's any fun), but most of the people you describe have very tricky taxes: home residences in states, but long term residences for work in D.C., offices and workers that work for them in multiple states / taxing districts. While some of the complexity is simply the federal tax code, a lot of it is the state / local and the fact that they have to file in many jurisdictions.
2. Posted by Kristian | January 14, 2010 3:44 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 15:44
3. Posted by VagaBond | January 14, 2010 4:19 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
And wouldn't it be a hoot if we had to actually write a check for our payroll taxes every payday instead of it taken out before we ever see it?
3. Posted by VagaBond | January 14, 2010 4:19 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 16:19
4. Posted by GarandFan | January 14, 2010 4:41 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Democrats don't worry about taxes. You don't worry about what you DON'T PAY. The code is convulted (wait until Barry, Nancy and Harry are through with the Health Care REFORM) because of a need to obtain a desired end....without letting certain groups know that they're being screwed in order to benefit others.
4. Posted by GarandFan | January 14, 2010 4:41 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 16:41
5. Posted by OregonMuse | January 14, 2010 4:48 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I used to think that this one small change would bring about the single greatest tax revolt in history. Now I believe it would only cause people to cry out to bring automatic withholding back.
5. Posted by OregonMuse | January 14, 2010 4:48 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 16:48
6. Posted by Kristian | January 14, 2010 5:31 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
That is only half the solution. The other have is to move tax day from April 15th to the Monday before election day.
6. Posted by Kristian | January 14, 2010 5:31 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 17:31
7. Posted by astonerii | January 14, 2010 8:01 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Along with having all the people From President to Congressmen doing their own taxes, they automatically got audited every year by an outside independent group.
7. Posted by astonerii | January 14, 2010 8:01 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 20:01
8. Posted by Madalyn | January 14, 2010 8:26 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Arrogant DemoRats don't pay taxes. Just ask them. Even if they did, they would lie on the forms. Standard practice for Dems.
Madalyn
8. Posted by Madalyn | January 14, 2010 8:26 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 20:26
9. Posted by bobdog | January 14, 2010 9:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm a (non-practicing) CPA, which means I'm licensed to argue your case before the tax court.
I use a tax attorney, and have for years.
I figure if I can't physically lift the tax code, I probably shouldn't prepare my own returns.
And I probably shouldn't take on the tax court for you.
9. Posted by bobdog | January 14, 2010 9:26 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 14, 2010 21:26
10. Posted by Flu-Bird | January 15, 2010 11:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The IRS the INFERNAL ROBBERY SERVICE
10. Posted by Flu-Bird | January 15, 2010 11:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 15, 2010 11:58
11. Posted by John S | January 16, 2010 5:41 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Along with having all the people From President to Congressmen doing their own taxes, they automatically got audited every year by an outside independent group.
And they also be required to pay triple penalties when the f**k it up.
11. Posted by John S | January 16, 2010 5:41 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 16, 2010 05:41