Posted on 11/18/2024 7:26:49 AM PST by Red Badger
EXCLUSIVE — Over 800 Internal Revenue Service employees still owe millions in back taxes despite heavy criticism from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who is hoping the level of tax waste will be squashed by billionaire Elon Musk, the newly tapped co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency.
In a letter to the Iowa senator sent on Nov. 8 and shared exclusively with the Washington Examiner, the IRS noted that of the 2,044 employees who reported having balances totaling more than $12 million, 860 employees still have not paid overdue taxes. Only 20 of the 70 employees who “willfully evaded” paying their taxes were removed.
“We haven’t seen a tax revolt like this since the Boston Tea Party,” Ernst said in a statement. “If hardworking Americans dodge taxes, they are faced with steep fines and imprisonment, but it appears that tax collectors in Washington believe those rules are for thee but not for me.”
A July report, requested by Ernst, found over 5,800 IRS and contractor employees owed nearly $50 million in overdue taxes. Only 20 of the agency’s employees who failed to pay taxes were terminated.
The July report prompted Ernst to introduce the Audit the IRS Act, which would require regular tax audits of agency employees and prohibit the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ tax evaders.
Ernst’s team pointed the Washington Examiner to the fact that the level of tax cheats from the IRS, amounting to nearly $546 million, drew a response from Musk, who will co-lead DOGE with former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
“Looks like a lot of opportunity for @DOGE!” Musk posted on X, citing an article from the New York Post.
In another post, Musk lamented, “There are thousands of examples of taxpayer dollars being wasted. These just a few,” and cited a post mentioning the $50 million in back taxes owed by federal employees.
President-elect Donald Trump appointed Musk and Ramaswamy to the new organization Tuesday, which will operate outside the federal government, two of many nominations that have sent shockwaves through Washington. The organization will “dismantle bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies,” according to a statement from Trump.
Ernst hopes DOGE will take the steps to eliminate tax waste and bring accountability to federal government spending.
“While Elon Musk and the Trump administration are looking to eliminate waste, I can think of no better place to start than by firing every single IRS agent refusing to pay taxes,” Ernst said.
The senator also recommended in her letter to the IRS in July that employees and contractors should be referred to the Department of Justice for tax evasion.
“Our Criminal Investigation division has a well-established process for referring cases to DOJ, which includes, but is not limited to, cases involving current or former employees and contractors,” IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said in his Nov. 8 letter in response to Ernst. “Referrals are made on a case-by-case basis and both agencies invest resources in prosecuting felonies that are likely to result in a substantial period of incarceration and provide the most effective deterrence.”
Of the 70 employees who willfully failed to file tax returns, only 20 were removed after all cases were referred to the agency’s review board. However, Werfel noted that 47 employees were suspended, one faced “admonishment,” and two resigned from the agency.
“The IRS continues to follow established processes to address all instances of IRS employees and contractors failing to meet their tax compliance responsibilities,” Werfel said.
The Washington Examiner reached out to DOGE for comment on the organization’s approach to tax waste.
Why is not surprising at all?
A job for Pelosi and Cheney’s J6 FBI Clown Posse. I think they’ve got about all the non-Democrat political prisoners they need. Time to go after government employee tax deadbeats.
Do as we say .....
They need to go after Fauci and all those millions in bribes.
The light is being shined on things.
I like the idea of torches as a light source vs a flash light.
Aren’t enough lampposts in this country...
Why aren’t THEIR wages being garnished??????
Don’t tell Biden. He’ll forgive them post-haste.
That's appalling.
They should be given the same treatment they'd give us for owing back taxes.
Even if they were, the treasury wouldn’t be raised one cent.........
And patents. Why should a Fed Gov employee (Fauci) be allowed to receive patent royalties on drugs/priducts that were developed and approved by the US govt. Those patents and royalties belong to us.
“Over 800 Internal Revenue Service employees still owe millions in back taxes”
Laws for ye, but not for me. AKA
“It’s a government of the government, for the government, and by the government. They want your money and not your opinion.”
“Why is not surprising at all?”
**************
Because its nothing new. Nobody in DC ever does anything to stop it. Lots of letters, reports, hearings, etc. that never accomplish anything. Just the way DC wants it.
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others...
The best way to downsize the bureaucracy is to expose and investigate them.
DOGE can set the table by establishing a legitimate basis for investigation that can withstand the predictable charges of racism, transphobia etc.
A capable AG would authorize investigations.
Bureaucrats will face a dilemma.
The smart ones will leave first
The stupid ones will need to find lawyers and go bankrupt.
Who does the IRS not simply deduct a portion of their pay checks until the debt is settled?
Millions wouldn’t make a dent in the deficit.
It’s usually bad form to owe your employer money, but if they can get away with it, why not?
< NOT A FAN OF THE IRS>
“ I like the idea of torches as a light source vs a flash light.”
Pitchforks and torches come to mind, along with tar and feathers.
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