Posted on 06/23/2007 7:47:12 PM PDT by Libloather
Scofflawyers need to pay up, Franchot says
Judge denies his request for their Social Security numbers, but other approaches to loophole on table
Friday, June 22, 2007
by Douglas Tallman | Staff Writer
ANNAPOLIS — Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot’s zeal to collect more taxes has led him to request the Court of Appeals to provide the Social Security numbers of Maryland lawyers.
Chief Judge Robert M. Bell has denied the request, but the comptroller and the judge are discussing other ways to assist the tax-collection effort, Franchot said. Lawyers fail to pay between $2 million and $3 million in taxes a year, he said.
Maryland requires other professionals to prove they have paid their taxes before a state board issues a license. Lawyers are exempt, however.
‘‘It’s wrong that the lawyers are exempt from this. They’re officers of the court,” said Franchot, himself a lawyer. ‘‘Every profession that has to apply for a license is screened annually to pay taxes.”
He called on the General Assembly to rewrite laws that provide the attorney exemption. Thirty-one lawmakers are lawyers.
**SNIP**
Franchot said lawyers should have to prove they have paid their taxes just like other professionals.
‘‘Accountants, doctors, Realtors, everybody else has to do this in Maryland except lawyers. It’s another reason why the profession has some public relations problems. This comes across as a special deal for lawyers, and it’s wrong,” he said.
‘‘I’m not implying that lawyers as a group cheat on their taxes. But every other group has to show proof except lawyers,” he continued.
Bell’s letter pointed out that a lawyer’s license is not re-issued annually. It remains valid even though an attorney may be decertified.
(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.net ...
Q: What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 15?
A: Your honor.
Q: What do you call a judge gone bad?
A: Senator.
Just b/c someone is admitted to the MD bar doesn’t mean he owes income taxes there.
Off the grid lawyers?
This a common problem with solo lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. A lot of them are not good businesspeople, and they fail to set aside sufficient funds for taxes. Before long, they’re in over their heads.
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