Tax relief in the U.S. leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to logic

I finished my taxes a few weeks ahead of the deadline. Yippee! Now I can worry about something else.

When I talk to my friends, I find I am one of the few who prepares their own tax returns. Most are afraid to make a mistake or decide not to spend the time.

The IRS publishes estimates of the time required to prepare each form. They are pretty accurate. By the time I read the instructions, sorted my files into the appropriate piles and completed the forms, I had invested more than three full days.

I recall a big IRS push a few tax seasons ago to simplify the process and save paper. The instruct...