In Defense of the IRS

As a citizen first, and a CPA second, I would like our voluntary tax system to work in a fair and equal manner for everyone.

However, many of our honest citizens think it is okay to cheat the IRS, with the net result that annually billions of dollars in income taxes are uncollected. Also, money laundering and a blossoming underground economy make a joke of tax collecting, and those who beat the government encourage others to emulate them.

Responsible tax preparers know that cheaters who are getting away with it force honest filers to pay more than their share.

Compounding the problem is the medias claim that the IRS is unfair to most taxpayers, especially during the collection process, and the way the spotlight has been thrown on some IRS agents who have overreacted by harassing taxpayers.

In reality, most IRS employees are hardworking, dedicated to fairly enforcing the law and performing their duties in a manner warranting high public confidence.

The IRS, denied the necessary funds from Congress, has had to shelve 50 programs designed to catch nonfilers. In addition, their computers are obsolete and not compatible with the latest technology.

The IRS is one of the few government agencies that brings money into the treasury. Why does Congress continue to fight its expenditures when funding the agency could bring in enough money to balance the budget? The IRS is unattractive to voters, and members of Congress who support it are not favored by the public.

It is time that responsible government officials openly express their support for the IRS and acknowledge that white-collar crime is whats really killing the system.

Gilbert P. Dorfman, CPA
Glen Rock, New Jersey