If someone wanted to put the tax system in a complete panic everyone would file a paper return. They rely on electronic data now. When you file an electronic return they collected all the information you input. If you pay a preparer they give more information to the IRS. The leaders of the IRS are fucking brainless idiots taking orders. Back in the 70's they didn't have much electronic information about you except W-2 and 1099's (and that was transcribed from paper), everything else they learned about you was through audits. NOW through initiatives from Congress over the years data matched to your return is collected from credit cards transactions, credit reporting agencies, banking transactions, court data, state data (motor vehicle), welfare, social security.