I've used h&r block, some irs.gov-recommended online fillable forms, and some other free tax software in the last 5 years (I've only had to file taxes for 5 years now). On average it takes me about 30 minutes, and one year i did pay $20, not realizing i could've done it for free.
In the US, you can deduct your work expenses if you so choose (such as required clothes, for instance). Since you did this on your personal card, how would the government have any idea that you bought that suit for work? And the same goes for donations to non profits.
> how would the government have any idea that you bought that suit for work?
Because your work tells the IRS. I have expensed a shit ton of stuff and I don't say anything about that to the IRS when I file my taxes. I'm hopping that the W2 says enough.
How long does it take to understand that it's all you have to do?
> There's no way for the government to know what your work expenses were
What? That makes no sense.
> what you donated to charity
Same. This makes no sense.
> it took me an hour and a half to do my taxes and cost me under $20 on freetaxusa
wow. I guess you are used to filling your taxes so you're fast.