Turbotax rules.
I have an MBA as well as engineering degrees. I took specialized courses in taxes and I agree that it is incredibly complex. Why ANYONE other than an accountant or special interests lackey would support the current unwieldy, unfair system is beyond me. It motivates non-compliance. If we're gonna have an income tax (let's not go there) then let's make it a simple flat tax. That way Bill Gates, you, me, the boss and the co-worker all pay. No special interest tax breaks. Won't happen though because folks are fearful and selfish about their own special interest deductions...mortgage interest, dependent deductions, whatever. So what happens? Each year more and more comples special interest exemptions get rolled in.

I'd favor the sales (consumption) tax as fairest of all (high livers pay big, subsistence families pay little) except that I fear that the govt would sneak in even higher revenues under cover and we the payers would not easily "see" our tax cost.

Zero exemptions and zero deductions is the way to go. No tax at all until you're above what's currently deemed above the poverty level, thus providing an incentive to work and fill menial jobs.

-p (no, that would be too sensible and too fair)