Why is the US tax code so unconscionably complicated?

Answer 1

Because Congress passes tax laws which are really political favors all the time.

Answer 2

You're kidding, right??!

The US tax code was originally created to help fund the wars of the US especially the Civil War!

It was never truly dismantled since it brought in revenue to the government.

Over time, it became bloated with pork-barrel politics. It was suppose to be simple as earlier tax forms from the earlier 20th century consisted generally of 1 page.

Politicians know that people like to hear about tax changes and how it would benefit them but politicians also know that a cap must be set to minimize those tax changes (i.e. AMT and phaseout of itemized deductions).

Consider attending a college-level tax course! It may seem boring but's very insightful!

Answer 3

To keep CPAs, tax attorneys, IRS staff and agents, software companies, tax prep firms, tax collectors, etc. all gainfully employed.

If you think our taxes are too high and the rules too complex, move to Europe! I lived there for over 10 years and our system is a cut-rate walk in the park by comparison.

BTW, the government DID complicate tomato soup. Any botanist will tell you that a tomato is a fruit. Not according to the US government, though. To them, it's a vegetable. Why you ask? Taxes, of course! (higher on veggies than fruit at the time of the Supreme Court ruling that declared it such.)

Answer 4

while the sixteenth modification develop into exceeded, that is unique reason develop into in basic terms to tax the very precise share of salary earners in this u . s . a .. So, as a manner to end that and not violate those concentrated human beings's Constitutional rights, there had to be assorted exemptions put in place appropriate from the beginning up. in any different case, taxes on earning might might desire to be levied on everybody and not in basic terms that pick team. with the aid of the years, government has had to make endless changes to tax codes to maintain up with the quite a few techniques human beings make funds, and inspire human beings to re-make investments their funds decrease back into this u . s . a .'s economy. for this reason the reason of write-offs like, possessing a house, corporation fees, hiring workers, etc. in any different case, the folk being concentrated at that factor might basically have pulled their funds foreign places and lived a mushy existence whilst something human beings starved to death. The very nature of the regulation's reason develop into improper appropriate from the beginning up. they might desire to have basically created a federal sales tax and left it at that. the prosperous nonetheless might have paid the lion's share of taxes and the no longer-so-prosperous could have been compelled to stay interior their ability and not count on taxes from the prosperous like based infants.

Answer 5

The Government can complicate making tomato soup - what else would you expect?

As an fyi, turbotax.com does a great job of holding your hand while asking all sorts of questions to maximize your deductions. Sure, you pay $19.95 or $29.95 for it but you also get to E-File so your return comes back much sooner.

I highly recommend it!