Hey Mr. Treasury Department man, I have a suggestion!

Via TaxProf Blog:

The Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy and the Service use the Guidance Priority List each year to identify and prioritize the tax issues that should be addressed through regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other published administrative guidance.
...
The Treasury Department and the Service recognize the importance of public input to formulate a Guidance Priority List that focuses resources on guidance items that are most important to taxpayers and tax administration. Published guidance plays an important role in increasing voluntary compliance by helping to clarify ambiguous areas of the tax law. ...

Okay, here’s a thought: Let’s make sure that members of Congress, the Cabinet, and other Washington types pay their fair and honest share of taxes, including all the penalties and interest for errors in reporting or paying that would be charged to regular citizens.

In reviewing recommendations and selecting projects for inclusion on the 2009- 2010 Guidance Priority List, the Treasury Department and the Service will consider the following:

1.  Whether the recommended guidance resolves significant issues relevant to many taxpayers;

I, and, I am certain, many other taxpayers, have a significant issue with a bunch of politicians flouting the tax law to no apparent consequence.

2.  Whether the recommended guidance promotes sound tax administration;

Sound administration of taxes requires that the collection process be perceived to be equitable.  Failure to collect taxes due from privileged individuals promotes taxpayer contempt for the system and sets a bad example for taxpayer compliance.

3.  Whether the recommended guidance can be drafted in a manner that will enable taxpayers to easily understand and apply the guidance;

“The law will be enforced, without fear or favor.”  (I imagine that even a Congressman could understand that.)

4.  Whether the Service can administer the recommended guidance on a uniform basis;

See #3 above.

and
5.  Whether the recommended guidance reduces controversy and lessens the burden on taxpayers or the Service.

That high government officials are seen to receive treatment no different from that applied to other citizens will Encourage the Body Politic, dispell Gloom and Cynicism, and provide opportunity for General Merriment.  To the extent that said government officials pay their full burden, where in the past they paid only a portion, will lessen the financial burden of government to other taxpayers.  And possibly, after confronting the Full Majesty of the Tax Code, said government officials might- just possibly- move toward increasing its simplicity and equity, thereby reducing the burden of explanation and enforcement to the Service.

There, how’s that?

Posted by: Old Grouch in In Passing at 00:53:01 GMT | No Comments | Add Comment
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