91download.com supports a wide range of platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Dailymotion, Reddit, Bilibili, Douyin, Xiaohongshu and Zhihu, etc. Click the download button below to parse and download the current video
The Great Tax Heist: How America's Tax System Robs You Blind
Is there anything more universally dreaded than tax season in the United States? The complexities, the costs, the endless hours of tracking down documents and deciphering cryptic instructions—it's a process that leaves many Americans feeling frustrated and bewildered. But what if I told you that this convoluted tax system is, in fact, a cleverly designed scam? Welcome to the great tax heist.
Why is it that in countries like the Netherlands, Japan, or New Zealand, tax filing is a breeze, while here in the U.S., it's a nightmare? The answer lies in a combination of outdated practices, powerful lobbying, and a lack of political will to reform a broken system.
Let's start with a simple question: Why is tax filing so complicated and expensive in the United States? The majority of us are forced to shell out billions of dollars each year to private companies to help us navigate the tax code. We spend precious time and energy, hoping that the little green number on our tax return will go up. But why?
The tax code in the U.S. is a labyrinthine mess, so complex that it's virtually impossible for the average person to navigate without professional help. We worry, we wonder if we're doing it right, and we dread the thought of making a mistake. So, why do other countries have it so easy?
To understand this absurdity, I spoke with Binya Appelbaum, a Times editorial board writer who has been reporting on economic and tax policy in America for years. Appelbaum explained that the story of America's tax system is one of missed opportunities and political manipulation.
During World War II, the U.S. government needed to collect more money to fund the war effort. The innovation they came up with was to have employers report how much they were paying their workers. This way, the government already knows how much money you've made and how much you've paid in taxes, simplifying the process.
But here's where the system breaks down: Instead of using this information to make tax filing easier, the U.S. government has done the opposite. They don't provide a pre-populated form like other countries do. Instead, they leave taxpayers with two dreadful choices: pay a private company to do your taxes or do it yourself, navigating a confusing and often contradictory maze of forms and instructions.
Enter Intuit TurboTax, a company that has essentially hijacked the tax filing process. They've made tax preparation software that, for most Americans, is synonymous with doing their taxes. But here's the catch: TurboTax is a for-profit company, and they make billions of dollars each year by charging Americans to complete their taxes.
The story of how we almost had a free and easy way to file our taxes is both enlightening and frustrating. The Bush administration came close to implementing a public filing system, but intense lobbying by Intuit and other tax-prep companies derailed the effort. These companies added lines of code to their free file site to make it invisible on the internet and engaged in deceptive marketing practices, tricking millions of Americans into paying for their services.
So, what's the solution? The Biden administration has funded a pilot program for the IRS to create a portal where Americans can pay their taxes without the need for a third-party middleman. But this effort is already under threat, with House Republicans pushing to cut funding for the program.
It's time for a change. Americans deserve an easy and free way to file their taxes. The government has the ability to deliver this, and it's high time they did. The great tax heist has gone on for too long. It's time to take back control and demand a tax system that works for all of us, not just the powerful interests that profit from its complexities.
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook