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  1. Taxes - Jonathan Pryor's web log
    1. Taxes

Taxes - Jonathan Pryor's web log

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Taxes

Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
   -- Benjamin Franklin

I did taxes this weekend. Beyond the knowledge that filling out the entire IRS 1040 form sucks (necessary for itemized deductions), one other interesting thing is apparent: the IRS exists to benefit tax professionals.

In particular, the Free File options are only for those with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $50,000 or less. This wasn't the case last year. Further, if you read the IRS e-file page, most of the e-File Partners for Taxpayers listed do not provide a free service.

Fortunately, there is one that does provide free filing for the Federal return: TaxACT Online. It complains about my browser (Epiphany 1.6.5), but I was still able to file my federal return. The one downside is that their submission system keeps referring to their for-pay software, which is annoying, but it doesn't hinder anything.

Fortunately, Virginia State Taxes are significantly easier. Instead of referring everyone to private companies, Virginia handles taxes itself -- you just need a password, and you can fill out all the forms and file entirely online. This is what the IRS should be like, but can't, as (conjecture) it would cut into the profits of private tax businesses.

Posted on 12 Feb 2006 | Path: /etc/ | Permalink
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