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[–] Thisismyvoatusername 0 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.

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[–] PeacefulAssassin ago 

Yeah but they sure do have all my other information