How Complicated Are Federal/State Income Tax Laws?

Federal and state income tax laws are very complicated and require years of education and testing in order to understand them. Certified public accountants have typically received over 4 years of education, often including a master's degree, and taken a CPA exam that requires rigorous studying.

The good news is that modern advancements have made the essentials easier to understand for the common man. Today, it is possible for an average person to understand his or her own tax withholding, federal and state income tax requirements. Computer software makes it possible to file taxes without speaking to an accountant. Recommended programs include: Federal Free E-File, Turbo Tax and H&R Block's E-File Online.

You do not need to understand all of the tax laws to file your taxes. You simply need to maintain good records of your income and expenses, then have those records handy when you sit down to file your taxes. Your employer will provide you with income and withholding information in the form of a yearly W2, W4, 1099 or similar document. The fact that the IRS itself offers a free software to allow individuals to file taxes shows how simple the computer programs have made the process.