To the editor:
We all have heard of individual and corporate taxpayers who either have evaded rightful income tax payment or who have in some other way cheated on the tax they declared. There are reports that the number of tax cheaters is increasing due both to economic hard times and due to a perception that cheating is easier to get away with. Yet another form of tax “cheating;” one legitimized by being one of a group of corporate entities offering those who owe back taxes in excess of $10,000 a significant break on paying their delinquent tax bill(s).
In the past several weeks, television ads have promised those who owe the IRS debts greater than $10,000 substantial breaks on their debts if these companies are contacted by debtors. These firms are either committing business fraud with these ads or they are promising to rip off us, the honest tax paying citizen, by offering evades and cheats deals we, the honest people, are not offered. Why should cheats get deals?
I understand the government wants desperately to recover as much delinquent tax revenue as possible and that individual recovery through traditional legal means is time consuming, cumbersome, and expensive; however, allowing select business ventures to profit from making significant debt savings deals with those not having paid their fair taxes seems both unseemly and grossly unfair. It would seem better to have stronger tax laws regarding property and revenue forfeiture that are more swiftly and firmly enforced than are current tax liability laws.
When laws and their consequences are seen as unfair or unenforceable, people tend to pay less heed to such laws. We need firmer enforceable tax laws that will solicit greater `honest compliance from the citizenry.
Presque Isle
