I has been said, “You can depend upon the Americans to do the right thing. But only after they have exhausted every other possibility.” (It's usually attributed to Churchill, but people who've researched the origin of phrase say it really came from a statement by Abba Eban.)

The article linked below proposes replacing our yearly tax filing process with one starting with a card or letter from the IRS stating your income and tax (or refund). Such a system is used in Japan and other countries. Even if we maintain our system of deductions and credits, the process would give people who itemize a starting point, and greatly shorten their tax work.