CA: Rat out a neighbor, get a tax break

OC Register ^ | 5/3/05 | Op/Ed

[NormsRevenge]

The state government continues to spend beyond its means, with Republicans calling for cuts in government, or at least cuts in its rate of growth, and Democrats pushing for tax and fee increases to make up the difference. But apparently there is one area of agreement between members of both parties: They would like to cut down on so-called tax cheats who are estimated to cost the state $6.5 billion a year.

A particularly dismaying plan now being pushed by Controller Steve Westly would encourage Californians to snitch on people who might not be paying their proper amount of taxes. The state would hire investigators to respond to the tips and would even pay bonuses to the tipsters - 10 percent of any unpaid taxes, according to published reports. It is modeled on a similar plan run by the Internal Revenue Service.

--snip--

Perhaps the Legislature could name the new bill the Pavlik Morozov Law, after the 13-year-old Soviet-era hero of the state who turned in his father to Stalinist authorities because the father was taking bribes that allowed people to avoid slave-labor camps.

Teaching free citizens to turn in their neighbors is worse than cheating on your taxes. Let's hope the Legislature comes to its senses and realizes that the best way to keep the state treasury filled with enough rubles is to downsize government so that it needs to extract fewer dollars from citizens to begin with and to spend within its means - not find new ways to snoop on California residents.

[Kenny Bunkport]

And how would a neighbor know whether someone was a tax-cheat? I guess, like the Democrats in Washington, the seriousness of the accusation is reason enough to investigate someone.

One more reason to move out of California.

[EagleUSA]

The concept of reducing government spending seems to be beyond government in this country now. So, the state is looking FOR MORE MONEY, yet it could have $10 BILLION per year thrust into the treasury, if they throw out ILLEGAL aliens!!!!

Where in the &^%$ are the priorities in government??? Where is the sanity?? What is happening to this country??

[ambrose]

I dunno... I get kind of tired of hearing Limo Liberals brag about how they managed to get away with paying any taxes, while Joe Sixpack has all the taxes automatically deducted and sent off to the Gubment.

[sionnsar]

What is happening to this country??

Nothing more than it's being hijacked by the ruling elites. It's happened before.

[monkeywrench]

"And how would a neighbor know whether someone was a tax-cheat?"

Stake out a day laborers site. License plate numbers of whoever hires them.

[Kenny Bunkport]

Sounds like too much work. And what's in it for them?

[Grampa Dave]

"And how would a neighbor know whether someone was a tax-cheat?"

Not so much as a neighbor, but someone who does jobs and wants cash, waiters/waitresses, house cleaners, valet parkers and a whole lot of little liberal shop owners. It is amazing how these people will often brag about not paying taxes. Many on the other hand if they paid taxes on their limited earnings would have to be on welfare.

Many so called professional independent contractors such as doctors, dentists, eye docs and other health providers love the illegal alien business. It is cash up front, and the patients are herded in and out like cattle. Most of these money sharks are often targets of the state licensing boards. There is no insurance, no billing and often no medical records.

[IRememberElian]

They did it in New East Germany, I mean ... Northern Virginia a few years ago. You could tell from their cars' county sticker.

They also had 1-800-234HERO. That was a number to narc on those awful scofflaws who used the HOV lanes illegally. After many years of that, it was discontinued and for awhile, it became a porn # (a mild blow for freedom!).

[Blood of Tyrants]

Ah, the good ole Kalifornia Stazi. Rat on your neighbor for a few bucks like a good little commie.

[sgtbono2002]

Dear IRS: I know for a fact that Theresa Kerry did not pay her fair share on earned income. She only paid 15% on a hell of a lot more money than I will ever make. Somebody fudged her accounts. By the way her husband stole Federal funds by accepting pay for work he did not perform then complained about Tom Delay and ethics violations. What is more unethical than taking pay for work undone.

Please send the reward money to Sgtbono c/o Free Republic.com.

[brazzaville]

Good evening.

So the state wants to hire investigators and snitches to make up for budget shortfalls caused by too much government spending and overtaxed citizens trying to reduce their tax burden.

I wonder if they want to call it a good neighbor law.

Michael Frazier

[patton]

"Sir, we are surrounded!"

"Good, then we can attack in any direction!"

- Chesty Puller

[randog]

Here's how you put an end to this nonsense in a LA second: Turn in the following people as tax cheats:
Barbara Streisand
Rob Reiner
Sean Penn
Steven Spielberg
...

[1FASTGLOCK45]

I would like to turn in the California and Federal government for cheating on their taxes and screwing innocent people on tax days.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Here's how you put an end to this nonsense in a LA second: Turn in the following people as tax cheats:
Theresa Kerry
Barbara Streisand
Rob Reiner
Sean Penn
Steven Spielberg

They always exempt themselves from bills like this I am sure they will add their friends in.