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Shaheen Unveils Plan to Simplify Tax Filing

by: Jonathan Schleifer

Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 19:01:23 PM EDT

(The impossible occurs - an actual good idea involving taxes. - promoted by Dean Barker)

Today Governor Shaheen proposed a simplified, one-page tax return called RapidReturn that will simplify the process of filing a 1040-EZ.

We also posted a new poll on our site - the last one got a great response.

jcs
Jonathan Schleifer
Dir. of Online Comm.
Shaheen for Senate

Jonathan Schleifer :: Shaheen Unveils Plan to Simplify Tax Filing

Tags: tax, 1040, political, Commercial, news, commentary, analysis, Shaheen, Sununu, new, hampshire, Senate, (All Tags)

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Shaheen Unveils Plan to Simplify Tax Filing | 6 comments

That's actually an interesting idea (4.00 / 3)

I was expecting something much more boring.

If you haven't clicked through: Shaheen proposes that the IRS send 1040-EZ filers forms that have the personal info from last year's filing and the data they get from other sources (e.g., wages, I assume) already filled out.

The filer checks for accuracy, usually just signs and sends back. If the data is out of date (e.g., married and moved, spouse died) the filer edits or might discard and start with a blank form.

by: elwood @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 18:16:25 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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That's really great. (4.00 / 2)

It seems an odd thing that the IRS asks me to tell them what they already know (e.g. how much my employer paid me, assuming I'm a W2 type).

Isn't it wonderful to have a tax simplification idea that isn't a euphemism for trickle down economics?

by: Mike Caulfield @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 18:26:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Exactly! (0.00 / 0)

I was expecting (and dreading) something that sounded like the old 'flat tax - file on a postcard' rhetoric.

I've never trusted the simplifiers to actually balance the books - I suspect their plans will dramatically change government revenues and raise the deficit.

The Shaheen plan is simple, clearly revenue-neutral, clearly easier for millions of people, and trumps the simplifiers.

by: elwood @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 18:32:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Imagine, a proposal for simplifying interactions with government that actually might do what it's supposed to. (0.00 / 0)

--
@DougLindner

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 19:25:19 PM CDT

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Now compare this idea (4.00 / 1)

to Sununu's flat tax, and you have our race in a nutshell.

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 20:21:15 PM CDT

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I *think* (0.00 / 0)

I heard that CA does this?

Great idea, technocentric improvement.

I've used turbotax online for the past 3 years and it does a good job of pulling most relevant data in for you.

Hope > Fear

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 20:39:54 PM CDT

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Shaheen Unveils Plan to Simplify Tax Filing | 6 comments

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