IRS Commissioner on Tax Code: It's too Damn Complicated

Said the Commissioner of the IRS today. From The Hill:

IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman does not file his own taxes in part because he believes the tax code is complex.

During an interview on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program that aired on Sunday, Shulman said he uses a tax preparer for his own returns.

"I've used one for years. I find it convenient. I find the tax code complex so I use a preparer," Shulman said.

I don't blame him. During my Fed Tax I class, one of the exercises was to try to determine your annual tax liability using only the code and regulations. The exercise can take hours even for what is a relatively mundane return. What did the exercise teach me? That just like Commissioner Shulman, I too should use a tax preparer.