Weiner Wants The IRS To Do Our Taxes

So today is April 14th, meaning by the midnight tomorrow, you've either have to have your tax returns mailed in, filed for an extension or as many others do, have an accountant take care of it for you. It is a major headache for millions of Americans and makes late March and early April a hellish time for CPAs and all those that do taxes for a living. However, that could all change if a bill proposed by Congressman (and Mayoral candidate) Anthony Weiner passes through Congress this year.

From The NY Daily News:

Some 40% of Americans who file the simplest tax forms would qualify for the proposed "auto file" program, which will be introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens) when Congress returns next week.

"More people will file. Fewer people will have to spend money on tax firms or on computer software. And we'll be improving the relationship between the IRS and taxpayers for whom April 15 is a big headache," Weiner said.

The voluntary system, similar to California's "Ready Return" program, would apply to taxpayers who use 1040EZ and 1040A forms.

The IRS would use the W-2 and 1099 documents it gets from employers to fill out the forms.

Taxpayers would have a chance to review the IRS's calculations and make changes before signing the forms, Weiner said. Those who itemize their deductions probably would not want to use auto file, he said. And taxpayers would still have to take care of their state tax forms.

So the program is voluntary and if you have itemized deductions this won't work for you. If you simply file taxes without trying to pay less then go ahead, but most people want to do the opposite. After looking at this bill, it seems that Weiner is just trying to get some publicity in time for the height of tax season.

Arresting War Protesters Already

The time has barely passed ten in the morning and already authorities are detaining American citizens that are demonstrating against the war. What are their crimes you ask? Peacefully protesting at the gates of the I.R.S. can get you thrown in jail, despite the freedoms that were written down in the Bill of Rights. Our founding fathers were adamant about people having the right to assemble and it was one of the first additions to the Constitution. So how are Americans treated in 2008?

From The Guardian:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police have arrested about a dozen people who crossed a barricade at the entrance of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington at the start of protests marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.

Anti-war protests and vigils are planned across the country.

Dozens of people gathered at the IRS, chanting ``This is a Crime Scene'' and ``You're arresting the wrong people.'' A crowd marched around the IRS before gathering at the entrance.

Protesters are blocking the main entrance of the building. But no federal workers appear to be using that entrance to go inside the IRS.

So even though the entrance wasn't being used by anyone, they decided to arrest people demonstrating as is their right as American citizens. How nice.

Glenn Beck Wants To Tongue Ron Paul?

Parents, shield your children's eyes, everyone else remember to swallow the coffee before reading this or else the monitor will be splattered because when it comes to Glenn Beck, he can always catch the audience off-guard (perhaps thats what he hardly has much of an audience). The Beckster invited libertarian Republican candidate Ron Paul on the show and he really got Glenn's rocks off, semi-literally that is.

From Crooks and Liars:

Download (577) | Play (697) Download (420) | Play (345) (h/t Bill)

Warning: Do not view this clip within one hour of eating, as it may induce severe gastrointestinal distress and/or vomiting.

Ron Paul joins Glenn Beck to further his platform of eliminating taxes and the IRS. I’ll leave aside the fact that a presidential candidate is endorsing citizens break existing laws as a “reasonable civil disobedience” and merely point out that while I think everyone can get behind not having our taxes go to wasteful projects like the black hole of the Iraq occupation or bridges to nowhere, our taxes also pay for a lot of really good things as well–like federal infrastructure, education and health care for seniors and veterans, and I can’t believe people could have spent the last seven years with the Bush Administration and not see the value of keeping those programs funded.

But piddly little details like that do not bother Glenn Beck. In fact, Beck finds himself quite aroused by Ron Paul.

GB: What is your proposal?

RP: Mine is to get rid of the IRS and not replacing it with anything by cutting a lot of spending, because we lived without an income tax before 1913, so I’m not interested in the flat tax or the…or the sales tax. Although anything would be better.

GB: Yeah. Just what you’re saying. I mean, you’re speaking, you’re speaking…you know. If we weren’t both men…you know. I’d like to french kiss you on the whole abolishing the IRS thing… You had me at hello.

I seriously do not want to hear about Glenn Beck french kissing on TV, whether its Dina Sansing, Ron Paul or anyone else. You would think Glenn could show a little respect to the candidate, even if he is for abolishing our modern way of life (at least after 1913).

FBI Raids Sen. Stevens Home, Not Looking So Good For Him

The good ole' boy Senator Stevens from Alaska is in a lot of hot water. Alaska has been trying to clean up the corruption that exists in their state, along with the help of the FBI and the IRS. Politicians have been in bed with people they have no business being with, while ignoring their constituents and the law. Well things are going to catch up with Ted Stevens soon, especially since the authorities raided his home yesterday.

From The Huffington Post:

Stevens, 83, has been under a federal investigation for a 2000 renovation project more than doubling the size of his home in Girdwood that was overseen by Bill Allen, a contractor who has pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska state legislators.

Allen is founder of VECO Corp., an Alaska-based oil field services and engineering company that has reaped tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts.

Agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service started their search at the senator's home Monday afternoon, said Dave Heller, FBI assistant special agent. He said he could not comment on the nature of the investigation.

Stevens isn't commenting either. He wouldn't want to jeopardize himself further, especially if and when the Feds press charges against him and he has to face a judge and jury. Of course he isn't the only one, his son is under investigation and so is Congressman Don Young (R-Of course) for their crooked ways. It isn't right that they use their office for personal gain. The people trust them to serve their constituencies.....not themselves and their friends in the oil industry.

More Dishonesty From The NY Statehouse: IRS Steps In

NY State Legislators are notorious for dipping their hands in the taxpayers cookie jar. Usually it works by writing favors into law and giving government contracts to their friends favorite donors. Now it seems that our representatives up in Albany are trying to short the state by taking inappropriate tax deductions on their income.

Apparently a $79,500 base salary is not enough for them while they work a few months out of the year. Technically they can take deductions for business expenses for up to 122 days, in reality deductions are being taken for well over 200 days.

From the NY Post:

ALBANY - State lawmakers could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars each in back taxes for wrongly claiming deductions related to their job, sources said.

In a letter that has sent shivers through the entire Legislature, the IRS recently formally alerted lawmakers of the problem.

Lawmakers were given 45 days to review their 2004 and 2005 returns and repay any amounts owed without penalty.

Under federal law, legislators are able to take a deduction for "ordinary and necessary business expenses" each day while away from home for the legislative session.

Technically, the Legislature gavels into session each day whether lawmakers convene or not.