I've been sending more money every spring to cover my tax bill.

...it doesn't reduce your refund/cost you anything.

It is basically you just authorizing governmental funds to be used for that purpose.

I've had some experience with tax returns, and almost no one checks it because (1) they think it will cost them personally and/or (2) due to its name, they assume that it will go directly to the president, which means you basically eliminate half of everyone, because no Democrat/Republican wants to be seen as donating to a Republican/Democrat president.

So, in the end, almost no one checks the box. I've seen only a handful of people do it through the years.

it's also been several years since I did my own tax return. Looking at my copy, it looks like the box is still being checked.

In '09, I was audited for '06 and '07. I didn't actually owe more taxes, but the stress involved resolving it led me to put my tax work in other hands. I didn't think about checking any boxes when I turned filing tax returns over to an accountant.

I live in a foreign country that has a tax treaty with the US so that Americans abroad aren't double taxed.

It just allocates funds that would otherwise go somewhere else.

Period.

And I usually donate to at least one of the other charities that are options. If my return is small enough, I just donate the refund as my checking account isn't going to miss the $50 that much.

I didn't realize I was in such a small minority.

then no private money will be accepted in the process next election, we'd make sure as shit to check it.

As it stands, I think most people say what's the point?