Anyway, I think this hypothetical onlooker-from-a-civilized-country would also be wondering, "Why in the world do you have to do *any* of this? The government knows how much you owe in taxes, right? Of course they do, because they told you when you got it wrong. So why don't they just *SEND YOU A BILL* (or a refund)!?!"
This person would, of course, be % right.
But again, tax-preparation company profits...