Last night during MNF, at least here in Dallas, it was an endless stream of commercials with people proudly declaring that "I owed the IRS ___, but I only paid __!" thanks to some seedy "tax relief" business. I don't know about others, but I am completely offended by these commercials. These people are effectively stiffing everyone else who has to supplement their failure to pay what they owe. What does it say about our current cullture when, even during a time when we are debating how to raise revenues to reduce the debt, it is a SELLING POINT to dodge paying your share? I know some bristle at the notion of having a patriotic duty to pay taxes, but don't you at least feel compelled to pay what the law says you owe? Or is it "every man for himself" such that, if you can get away with it, more power to you?
I took a tax class at UT back in the late 80's. One of the final grades required everyone to prepare a tax return for the same simulated situation. If any two returns came up with the same final answer, the professor assumed the two students cheated. The point is this: Just because the IRS audit calculated the amount owed, does not mean that it is actually correct. CPA's and tax attorneys can often legitimately argue differently.. Other than that, "The IRS will relentlessly pursue you!"
I would assume that most of the amounts referenced in these commercials refer to penalties and interest that were waived after a dispute was resolved. My business had an ongoing dispute with the IRS for several years. We were definitely in the right so we never paid the fines. Each year the fines grew at an astounding rate. Once the issue was finally resolved in our favor, the IRS waived the penalties and interest which were around $25K. I imagine my scenario is somewhat common.
Hi I'm Patrick Cox. Is the IRS asking you to pay your taxes? Would you rather not pay taxes? Call me.
all: Have you ever dealt with the IRS? The way they operate is not black and white as most would think. There is a large amount of gray area and it is not guilty beyond the shadow of doubt. If there is any gray area they go straight to the extreme. You have to prove yourself way beyond the shadow that you have this deduction, expense or exemption. Then they threaten you with jail, they have you over a barrell regardless with who is right and you just cave in and let your blood pressure boil. It is a government organization that is out of control and needs to be overhauled with the tax system.
Well, number 2 has happened to me, my brother, and mother every year since 2004. Answer me this question, were you doing the proving in your audit or was the IRS agent?
Major- Sorry what happened to you and family. It sucks. The audit I had in April was very annoying, inconvenient- and who wouldn't resent the IRS for the inconvenience and potential increased payments. At the end of the day- he asked me to show proof of two things, and verify calculations. I did that- and was sent home. I received a letter stating I was in good standing one month later. What else can you expect from an audit when you do everything the way you're supposed to? I was honest, but imagine how many billions if not trillions of taxes go unpaid in this country every year due to a million different reasons. I don't think there's another way to do this, and anyways it is done- by the nature of their purpose, people will resent the IRS. However being resented sometimes means they're just doing their job. The policeman who writes me a speeding ticket is highly resented and sometimes hated. But, thank god he does that.
First, lets remember that these are commercials and not necessarily the truth. I can run a tax help center and the IRS could have made an honest mistake that I corrected and then I can claim I helped this guy get out of X number of dollars in taxes. I can assure you that people with the ability to pay their taxes don't get big chunks dropped off of their tax bill. Certainly there are folks that have gotten into trouble (through their own fault) and now can't pay their back taxes. Settlements get worked out which, in the long run, is cheaper for everyone. Remember, these commercials are designed to get anyone that owes to call them. Very few that call actually get any relief based on their situation.
I hear what many have said regarding the IRS having all the power, making imposing judgments, etc., which, of course, is inarguably true. But it does seem that there is an widespread attitude that evading these particular laws, tax laws, is somehow OK. Those commercials really seem to flaunt simply not paying, with no reference to "the IRS tried to stick it to me improperly, but I got representation so as to get a fair deal." Anecdotally, I have seen many a business owner who WAY knowingly overdeducts business expenses -- car, entertainment, etc. -- and I suppose rationalizes it with the belief that either everyone is doing it or maybe the IRS is getting enough dough already. Either way, the net effect has to be that others have to pick up the slack. Moreover, it seems that those who demand strict adherence to the laws in some areas (such as immigration -- please don't let this example sidetrack the thread, it was all I could come up with) have little problem being "creative" with their tax liability. So there seems to be a willingness to not judge tax evasion very harshly (think Willie Nelson, who I love and may actually have an argument that he forgot to pay).
I always believe in cases of government simple is best. We should overhall the tax system, so its much much simpler. I made a mistake in my taxes a few years ago in favor of the IRS. They sent me a check with a copy to keep in my records of the correction. So they don't seem to evil to me, if you try to do what's right, it usually works out okay.
I've often wondered if those were real people and, if so, is it smart to get on TV and brag that you kicked the IRS' butt and encourage other people to do it too?
They still aren't as bad as DWI lawyers. Did you break the law and endanger not only your life but the lives of the people in your car and all the cars around you? Do you feel that this isn't that big a deal and want to get off without any punishment? Then call Jamie Spencer and give him some money and he will help you escape justice so you can go out, get drunk, and maybe this time kill some innocent person.
maybe the IRS is evil personified but people still have an obligation to pay taxes and the amounts they use on that commercial aren't amounts Aunt Betty would run up by forgetting to pay one year or cousin charlie over deducting. I am amazed at some of the poster's responses as IIRC these same posters are all about the rich paying more than their fair share. I out people who knowingly ignore their taxes for years and then whine they want a "deal" in the same category as the people being targeted in the reduce your credit card debt. Owe over 10K in Credit card debt? settle for pennies on the dollar. and the same people who knowingly bought more house than they could afford and now that the market has declined think it is smart business to walk away. All these people make it harder for those of us who play by the rules.
Well, if they can only do it for 3 years then somebody needs to check because it has happened every years since my father died and left his estate in complete shambles. We have hired an accounting group that is costing us almost as much as the taxes are, so as I stated earlier the tax code and the IRS needs an overhaul. Hell, they have about 90,000 employees. That is one employee for about every 3,333 citizens. Something is wrong, way wrong.
It is my understanding that these companies rarely deliver as represented and that most of these "settlements" are because the people are absolutely broke. I do not think the IRS lets you off the hok because you don't feel like paying taxes.
