Readers Write: Congress’ failure to fund IRS costs taxpayers money

The Island Now

I wholeheartedly agree with Larry Penner’s suggestion in the Sept. 13 edition of the New Hyde Park Herald that the IRS should decrease the tax gap by accelerating enforcement activity against what he calls “deadbeat individuals.”  A staggering $400 billion of taxes due went uncollected during 2012.

The problem is that revenue does not go uncollected due to the IRS’ unwillingness to do so; it is because the agency’s budget has been slashed by billions over the past several years.  

Despite the fact that every dollar cut leads to a wider tax gap, Congress continues to chip away at the IRS’ ability to fund the federal government.

In the wake of this spring’s tax-exempt scandal, House Republicans proposed severe punitive cuts, suggesting a 24-percent decrease to funding.  

This is great news for small-government groups, as a wider tax gap means a weaker federal government and an inability to operate government programs, such as the often-maligned “Obamacare.”  

For the average American, however, this does not bode well.

Those clamoring for a smaller IRS should take a step back and realize that, without proper funding, not only will tax cheats go unpunished, but taxpayers who need assistance with refunds, identity theft and other claims, will continue, in some cases, to wait months for resolution.  

Additionally, popular government programs, such as Medicare and Social Security, will continue to suffer as delinquent payroll taxes go uncollected.

We should not allow cuts to the IRS to be used as a back door to undermine the federal government’s ability to function.  Self-sabotage is not the answer to our nation’s problems.

Matthew Zeidman

New Hyde Park

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