I wouldn't want government anywhere near that. Especially when the government can shut down whenever theres a dispute. No thanks
But, the tax rules are changed _by the government_.
I'm no saying I think the government built program will be the best one out there, but nobody is saying it needs to be the only option - just that the IRS should be allowed to help it's constituents.
States are going to have to coordinate with Federal ?
Just play that out. What a mess.
No more than they already do. I have to file my state and federal returns separately today (and I don't think that's different for anyone who has to pay state income taxes). It's easier because my state (WI) defers to the federal government for a lot of tax rules, but that's entirely a local decision.
If the federal government decided to make it easier to file your federal taxes they could just do it. There's no need to coordinate with the states (and I wouldn't expect them to).
Right, but you're looking for a one service solution to look after all that, state and fed included, organised by fed. If that is what you're looking for it's already done, just not by the government, HRBlock TurboTax and others, my point is, if it was for the government(FD) to look after, it would be a nightmare, they wouldn't do it as well.
It works in other countries because as you're paid you're taxed on your income. That doesn't fly when you have multiple jobs, with each state having their own tax system, I'm not saying its good or bad or even that it CANT be done, I'm just saying I would prefer a company who gets paid to do it, to make sure its done right.
Also it seems to me we don't have much to lose. Our choices were: pay intuit or give our personal information to creditkarma to do god knows what with. Now we don't even have that.