Longy

But doesn't this mean lots of people don't pay tax when they should be because they aren't filling in tax forms.

Also not sure in what way they are simpler, the first one I got asked to do, the first I knew of it was saying I had a fine for filing late. I got that waived, but had to do it by hand. The calculations booklet seemed to go on forever, it took absolutely ages and my situation was very basic.

Filing online is certainly no simpler then the US either. In fact I paid $40 for a package which was meant to be better then the one they provided on the IR website, but it was still really confusing as help nearly always requires calling them up - not great when you not in the UK.

My favourite part of it though was on trying to submit at the end, because I was not resident for the 2006-2007 tax year, but was a part of 2005-2006 I couldn't file online and had to send it in. Apparantly a bug in the IR system.

Unless you know all the rules both are very confusing and need a lot of reading to understand.

Giantaxe

Everyone gets a personal allowance here too unless you choose to file jointly with one's spouse. The tax bands are progressive here in the same manner as the UK as well. I do agree that the US tax code is more complicated for the "average" person (more self-defeating deductions like mortgage interest, the lack of a capital gains allowance) and additionally is littered with exceptions and special cases that politicians have enacted because of the power of lobbyists. There is no reason why an income tax can't be straightforward:- it is US politicians that have made the US tax code the mess it is.

Elvira

Basic tax gets deducted at base, so unless you're a higher tax payer, you do not have to fill in a tax return in the UK.

No need to keep track of hundreds of bits of paper to claim dozenz os deductions.

The online filing is extremely simple, and it's free.

Special cases will always find it more difficult - the system is geared towards dealing with straightforward cases rather than exceptions.

Giantaxe

This is an important point. I am always stunned at how people here who ought to have relatively forward tax filings end up shelling out $$ to accountants to deal with the stuff. The relative size of the tax preparation 'industry' in the UK and US is a big clue as to the relative complexity of the two tax systems.

DavidM

Yes if they're out in the jungle doing who-knows-what with the chimps that's their lookout. The born-again ideology is disturbing but the courts routinely rule against local authorities trying to implement it. I think Juan McAmnesty will pick the Huckster for VP. I like the fair tax because I am fairly wealthy and want to become extremely wealthy. If you're not wealthy then it doesn't really matter does it? What's one less hit on the crack-pipe?

BTW - Tony Blair and George Bush are both born-again - they have a special unit in Iraq grinding up the dinosaur bones.

lapin_windstar

I have no idea whether you're being idiotic, ironic or are just a textbot that spouts computer-generated phrases that sound a bit like English.

paddingtongreen

"Fair Tax" is a bumper sticker slogan. On it's face it is regressive, but I'll wait for the details, they are where God or the Devil lives.

Brav

Could always just claim exempt on taxes and never file a return. I've known people who have never filed in their life and the IRS hasn't attempted to come after them.

cpltony

Wesley Snipes was one of them wasn't he? <lol>

Went to file last night with Jackson Hewitt. I was taking the easy route of having someone else do it. My wife and I with just 2 W2's and no deductions. After a rather uneducated person input our details in under 4 minutes she asked for $178 for tax preperation. She was quite shocked when we picked up our forms and walked out refusing to pay.

Tracym

I've used TurboTax for years - and have had some fairly complicated stuff some years.

It walks you through with a pretty simple question and answer format, and looks for deductions you might not have thought of.

I highly recommend it.

lapin_windstar

I'm not going back to a "tax shop" with tax preparers (i.e. not accountants) - I'd rather do it myself with TurboTax and know what was going on.

gazzpfc

There all ****** loonies

gazzpfc

Its the same everywhere they just squeezing for a bit extra they always found the odd 100 quid here or there in UK to hit me for.

cpltony

I just ran Turbo Tax for my return and it was all free (no deductions for me though)
I'll have a stab at doing state myself and save $25 as I know I owe.

ex_exile

So you believe the Repugs? Have you ever thought why they keep saying that they would rather face Hillary, its a snow job.

Also Obamas' " I was against the war so pick me" is balls, all Dems are now against the war so it dont mean dick.