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From: Miles Bader <mi...@gnu.org>
Newsgroups: nyc.transit
Subject: Re: LIRR and Metro North extend ticket validity
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:58:58 +0900
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Stephen Sprunk <step...@sprunk.org> writes:
>> My point was just that if the IRS's calculations, based on the
>> information they have from W-2s (etc), suggest "nothing owed," then
>> the IRS doesn't really care so much whether you actually file the
>> return.
>
> The IRS, as an institution, doesn't care about anything except whether
> you've complied with the law.
>
> If you have more than $500 of income in any given tax year, you are
> required by law to file a return.

Er, but that's just it: [based on my "inside" information] they
_don't_ actually care so much about the letter of the law, they care
about the _results_, because they don't have the man-power to deal
with pointless enforcement.  Maybe it's different now than it was 10
years ago when my mom was still with the IRS, I dunno.

> If you still don't file, their computers will automatically file a
> "substitute" return on your behalf, using only information on the
> 1099 and W-2 forms they've received, plus assess a penalty for your
> failure to file.

... and penalties are (or were) calculated as a percentage of tax
owed.  Owe nothing => penalty zero, even if you're technically in
violation.

-miles

-- 
Acquaintance, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not
well enough to lend to.