> In some countries, the government sends out a tax bill as if it's a fait accompli and the poor citizens just have to take it.
I highly doubt this happens in any working democracy.
What the government does in those countries is just send the tax form pre-filled allowing the tax payer to make any corrections as they wish. You are just as much in control of your taxes in such a system as the US one but it just has a lot less work for most.
In an authoritarian/etc system you end up paying whatever the government says you have to pay no matter how the system works.
Really if you are living in a country where you can’t dispute your taxes when you think the government made a mistake you are living in a failed democracy or authoritarian/dictator system.
I highly doubt this happens in any working democracy.
What the government does in those countries is just send the tax form pre-filled allowing the tax payer to make any corrections as they wish. You are just as much in control of your taxes in such a system as the US one but it just has a lot less work for most.
In an authoritarian/etc system you end up paying whatever the government says you have to pay no matter how the system works.
Really if you are living in a country where you can’t dispute your taxes when you think the government made a mistake you are living in a failed democracy or authoritarian/dictator system.