Q: Tell me about tax returns in the US.
A: There are some very (confusingly) specific rules and regulations, but in general, everyone who has more than $10,000 worth of income in a year must file taxes. The deadline to file your taxes each year is April 15th, but you can file as soon as January 1st, if you have all your tax documents.
The US tax code is quite complicated, and tax returns take a good deal of time to prepare. In the past, we had to hunt around for the forms we needed. For example, you can find the tax booklets and forms at most public libraries and post offices, but if you have a less common tax situation, you may not be able to find the forms you need. In that case, you have to write a letter to the IRS to request the forms you need.
These days, most people use software to help them file their taxes. The software isn’t perfect, but it makes things a little easier. The biggest advantage to using software is that you can file your tax documents electronically, instead of having to make many paper copies and mail them to the government. Filing electronically is a much quicker process, and for those who are due a refund, they will receive it more quickly than those who chose to file the old fashioned way.
(和訳)
Q: 確定申告はするの？
A: とても（わかりにくい）細かな規則があるけど、一般的に年収1万ドルある人はみんな確定申告をしなくてはならないわ。申告期日は毎年４月15日だけど、申告書類が揃っていたら１月１日から申告できる。
米国の税法はとても複雑で、確定申告の準備に相当な時間がかかるの。かつては必要な用紙をとりにいかなくてはならなかったの。例えば、今は公立図書館や郵便局に税金ブックがあるんだけど、あまりない税金の場合だと、必要な申請書が見つからないことがあるの。そういう場合は、IRS(アメリカ合衆国内国歳入庁)に書面で請求しなければならない。
最近では、確定申告が簡単にできるソフトを使っている人がほとんどね。ソフトは完璧ではないけど、いくぶん簡単になったわ。ソフトを使って一番いいのは、電子申告できることね。書類をたくさんコピーして役所に郵送せずにすむから。電子申告は手続きが速くて、還付を受ける人は旧式の方法より速く受け取れるわ。
