Plain Writing Act of 2010

Signed into law on October 13, 2010 by President Obama, the Plain Writing Act of 2010, is a United States federal law that requires that federal executive agencies:

·         Use plain writing in every covered document that the agency issues or substantially revises

·         Train employees in "plain writing"

·         Establish a process for overseeing the agency's compliance with this Act

·         Create and maintain a plain writing section on the agency's website to inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act

·         Provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on the agency implementation and agency reports required under this Act, and be accessible from its homepage

SO…it was a great effort on the part of President Obama. However, if people read many federal documents the actual words are often simple words like the ones used to write this blog. Yet the sequence in which they are used, and their meaning or intent is not clear.

This Act is a great example of how the government is often working to make the lives of the citizens easier yet continues to make life harder. Especially when the efforts are pointless, the best example of this… how the tax code changes every year. If the Act were actually used, the changes would be simple, easy to follow, and would reduce stress verse what actually happens.

Changes for the 2019 Taxes to consider:

What has changed with taxes this year?

[Schedule 1, Schedule 2 and Schedule 3]. For the 2020 tax season, the standard deduction amounts will be increased slightly as in previous years. The new amounts for 2019 tax returns are below.
...
2020 FILING SEASON CHANGES FOR 2019 TAX RETURNS.

Individual Taxpayers
If Taxable Income Is Between:	The Tax Due Is:
$39,476 - $84,200	$4,543 + 22% of the amount over $39,475

Here is another example:

Section	Permissible limit	Type of investment, expense or income	Eligible claimants
80C	Maximum Rs. 1,50,000 (aggregate of 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD)	PPF, EPF, Bank FD's, NSC, LIC premium, tuition fees	Individuals, HUFs
80CCC	Maximum Rs. 1,50,000 (aggregate of 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD)	Pension funds	Individuals
80CCD	Maximum Rs. 1,50,000 (aggregate of 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD)	Pension fund initiated by central government	Individuals
80TTA	Up to Rs. 10,000 per year	Interest on bank savings account	Individuals and HUFs
80CCG	50% of the amount invested subject maximum of Rs. 25,000	Equity saving schemes	Individuals
80CCF	Up to Rs. 20, 000	Long term infrastructure bonds	Individuals and HUFs
80D	For individual taxpayers- Premium up to Rs. 25,000 in case of individuals and up to Rs. 30,000 for senior citizens For HUFs- Premium up to Rs. 25,000 and up to Rs. 30,000 in case the member insured is a senior citizen or super senior, citizen	Medical insurance premium and Health check-up	Individuals and HUFs
80E	No limit defined	Interest on repayment of Education loan	Individuals
80EE	Maximum Rs. 50,000	Interest on loan payable for acquiring a residential house property	Individuals
80G	Differs with the amount of donation	General donations of any recognized society	Individuals, HUF's, Companies, Firms
80GGA	Depends on the quantum of donation	Donations to Scientific Research or Rural development	Those who do not have income from business or profession
80GGB	Depends on the quantum of donation	Donations to political parties	Indian companies
80GG	Rs. 5000 per month or 25% of total income whichever is less	Rent paid if HRA is not received	Individuals not receiving HRA

To decode the information above, check out this link:

https://www.myloancare.in/tax/income-tax-deductions-exemptions/ 

Think about it, if it was plain writing…the understanding would be easier and people would spend less time doing their annual taxes.