I downloaded the forms and filled them out as usual. I expected there to be some way to submit these forms, which are fillable pdfs that the IRS provides. But unless I'm missing something that does not seem to be the case???

the only direct e-filing options they offer redirect you to a listing of free tax softwares, which would require me to do effectively do my taxes again after figuring out how this software works

is there seriously not a way to just upload these files to the IRS directly? Why are taxes like this

This is (one) of the tax reforms I do want. I don’t know how to do it directly, and this may be some weird ‘don’t crowd out the market’ thing so we’re privatizing tax filing software instead of letting the government do it

The less o have to deal with taxes the better. I hate the stress

it just baffles me because the thing I'm looking for is identical to how I already do my taxes, just with a digital submission instead of a physical one

it never occurred to me that this would not exist

Well our tax system is super not designed for the ease of the tax payer, so

it super is not

In fact I’m starting to think it’s some weird lobbying thing where the tax preparer companies are lobbying to keep everything complicated so more Americans have to pay them to be able to file taxes

oh that's a known thing, it's not even a secret

This is wild. Just ... wow, all of it. I think if I had to file my taxes I'd just ... literally cry.

I know I do. I have literally cried real tears, especially trying to figure out how to report health insurance I got on the health insurance exchange. They didn’t just want me to report what i had....for some reason they wanted me to report what every other tier of plan avaliable in my area was, per every single month of the year

it is DEFINITELY a lobbying thing where TurboTax is pressuring the government to not do anything sensible, yes

seriously though, why would you provide fillable pdfs and then not have a way to upload them... fucking nonsense

also wow, Amber, they wanted you to report all of what?? that's insane

especially since, uh, you'd think the government would already know those things

(much like everything else about taxes, tbh)

RIGHT? I mean what the actual hell. And why would I have thought I needed to know that any way when I first had access to the exchange? It’s not logical

and I still don’t see how any of that could or should have any bearing on the taxes I owe?