The gap now totals $458 billion a year. Until Congress makes all workers subject to third-party reporting, the IRS is the only way to recover at least some of those billions.
In 2005 Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt co-authored the best-selling book Freakonomics. In a 2006 op-ed, they let taxpayers in on a bitter truth:
"Unless you are personally cheating by one-fifth or more, you should be mad at the I.R.S.--not because it's too vigilant, but because it's not nearly vigilant enough. Why should you pay your fair share when the agency lets a few hundred billion dollars of other people's money go uncollected every year?"
Instead of getting mad, let's hear some cheers. Saddled with an infernal job, decimated by budget cuts, the IRS fights a lonely fight for every honest taxpayer. And remember, its ROI is sky-high.
-30-
This article first appeared at www.nydailynews.com
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
