/v/Showerthoughts is a subverse for you to share all those thoughts, ideas, or philosophical questions that race through your head while in the shower.
"Showerthought" is a loose term that applies to any thought you might have while carrying out a routine task like showering, driving, or daydreaming.
Please be respectful of others' submissions. If you disagree, explain why in the comments. Downvoats are reserved for submissions you don't like or comments that do not add to the discussion, not opinions with which you disagree.
RULES
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Please refrain from shower "observations;" we've heard them all before
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Ideas for Voat features should be posted in /v/ideasforvoat, even if you think of them while in the shower
The spirit of this subverse's rules is to foster a community where dissent, free thought, and open discussion are tolerated, limited only to trolling, excessive abuse, site-breaking rules, or content that is better suited for another subverse. All moderation activity should operate within this spirit.
Moderation oversight: Deleted posts, Deleted comments, Banned users
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[–] Thisismyvoatusername 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
Because the government does not have the information to calculate an individual's taxes. Or rather, it has no way of knowing whether it knows. Calculating your taxes requires knowledge of all sources of income, only some of which are reported. It requires knowledge of the adjusted tax basis of capital assets to calculated gains or losses. It also requires knowledge of both above the line and below the line deductions or credits, most of which are not reported, either.
Sure, if your taxes are simple based solely on one W-2 and your only adjustment is the standard deduction, then the government has the information and could calculate it. But while that may describe a majority of the number of taxpayers, it does not describe most of the people who pay the majority of the tax amount. The system simply would not work and would constantly be the subject of court fights if the government tried to calculate everyone's tax.
[–] PeacefulAssassin ago
Yeah but they sure do have all my other information