Simplifying the tax process would help a lot. So, for that matter, would enabling taxpayers to e-file their own returns, instead of requiring them to either use a professional preparation service or go back to paper.

But staffing walk-in facilities has always seemed to me like a waste of time and money…even people who aren’t online yet can get the same “help” by calling on the phone…and even the most technologically backward elderly folks have telephones. They can probably wait more comfortably sitting on their living room sofa listening to on-hold music than standing in line at a government office, too.

As for the elderly that don’t have access to the internet… Don’t worry, that problem will go away. Eventually elderly will die, and the next generation of elderly people will have access to the internet.

I am all in favor of a simpler taxation system. But if you can’t make it simple, at least make it electronic, so that it looks simple, and it doesn’t waste about $800 per return just to manage it.