Patriot Act: Taxes in America

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The final episode of Patriot Act's first 2020 cycle uncovers the complex and predatory industry around filing taxes in America. They explore how companies like TurboTax make tax filing difficult and costly and created a site for how to file taxes for free called TurboTax Sucks Ass.

Source (TurboTax Sucks Ass)

Comments

[didia1]

Omg who here does their own tax? I am thinking of. Exoming a tax preparer just to understand all the shit. Has anyone done it?

[kerrigwen]

I'm in Canada, done my own taxes for years now, and done my parents', husband's, and brothers' a few times.

If there's nothing too complex (like, if you're not incorporated or anything), then I really think it's at LEAST worth looking at the software, and going through the steps. If it seems too confusing or overwhelming, then go to an accountant.

@ anyone in Canada, download GenuTax from the govt's website, it's free and very user friendly. And v comprehensive so you don't have to worry about missing out on things you could have claimed but didn't know about etc.

[analievelyn]

no time to watch, but idk if non americans know this, but property taxes determine how much money schools receive. idk if it's like that everywhere else

[meadowphoenix]

he's not talking about property taxes, just income taxes.

[analievelyn]

lol whoops. was it a good segment? im sure it'd make me mad

[meadowphoenix]

It wasn't bad, just mostly about how lobbyists and republicans gutted the irs.

[soulhades]

I feel so stupid because I heard him making a joke about how the lotr trilogy was boring and i swear this popped over my head instantly

[trancexperiment]

Doesn’t TurboTax Free only qualify for people who make under a certain amount a year? I tried doing that and was told I made too much and to refile through their $100 service 🙄

[electric_mole_x]

Yeah, I think Turbotax's limit for free file is like $45-50k? But there are other online tax preparers out there with higher limits.

Hasan specifically mentions a $60something-k limit in his video, but idk which company he got that number from lol. Maybe it's listed on the TurboTax sucks ass website

[doubtmars]

The 69K limit is from the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Some of the apps are free for people making max 69K and some, like TurboTax, cap it at 36K unless you're active military, then it's 69K.

[therearewords]

Meanwhile over here there's a free app and easily accessible website which largely fills out all known information for you to check. I also think it's mandatory for companies to give you a year report thingy with all necessary info.

Oh, and the number to call for help and info is free.

The last time I spent more than 30 minutes doing my taxes was when I lived outside of the country for a year.

[lozbabie]

In Aus it’s a govt website which is auto filled.

I’m thinking of paying someone This year since I’ve been WFH since early April and as I own my home it’s a bit more complex claiming that.

[therearewords]

Oh yes, I'm sure as your own boss and with mortgages things get a bit harder.