The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IRS PROTECTS FAMOUS DEBTORS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1723-E1724 on Dec. 3, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IRS PROTECTS FAMOUS DEBTORS
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HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, my chief of staff, Bob Griffitts, received an email from a constituent, Mr. Joe Steuer, regarding Rev. Al Sharpton and his tax debt. I would like for my colleagues and other readers of the Record to read this email and one of the news stories about Mr. Sharpton, published in the November 19, 2014, edition of the Long Island, New York, newspaper Newsday, that explains his tax situation in more detail.
Mr. Sharpton has a national television program, which gives him more respect than many people feel he deserves. Most people with tax debt would not be given as much leniency as the IRS is giving Sharpton.
From: Joe SteuerSent: Friday, November 21, 2014 11:47 AMTo: Griffitts, BobSubject: Al the Elite Sharpton & Taxes
Bob, the tax issue regarding Rev. Al Sharpton strikes a nerve with me personally as a few years ago I was contacted by the IRS. I had not filed or paid taxes for 1 year, an oversight on my part none-the-less I was wrong, admitted my mistake and paid the back taxes, interest and penalties. I did ask the IRS employee at the start of the investigation for consideration as I have never had any issue with the IRS ever. The request for consideration fell on deaf ears.
Thusly, my reaction to high profile individuals like Rev. Sharpton is one of disdain which appears to me to be class warfare, the elites vs. the people.
What efforts are being made to represent the people as well as holding the ``elites'' to the same standards that the rest of live by?
For your information, I am going to write to MSNBC and ask how they condone this blatant disregard of the law? If I do happen to receive a response I will pass it along to your office.
I do look forward to receiving a response from Congressman Duncan.Joe Steuer.
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Sharpton Says He's Working Out Tax-Debt Issues
(By Anthony M. DeStefano)
The Rev. Al Sharpton, responding to new stories about his tangled finances, acknowledged Wednesday that he and his civil rights organization still owe back taxes and significant penalties but asserted that both were up-to-date in paying their ``current'' taxes. Seeking to put a positive spin on the issues, Sharpton said he and his National Action Network have worked out installment payment plans to wipe out the tax debt.
Sharpton said that the National Action Network owes about
$400,000 in what were unpaid payroll taxes and an additional
$400,000 in penalties--down from about $1.9 million assessed in 2008. But when asked at a news conference what he currently owes in personal back taxes, interest and penalties, Sharpton answered ``I don't know'' and indicated he might not say even if he had the numbers on hand.
``We are paying current taxes and my current one [taxes], while keeping up with installments,'' Sharpton told reporters at Network headquarters in Harlem.
He said he hoped to reduce the balances further through negotiations. In a story Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Sharpton at one point had more than $4.5 million in current state and federal tax liens against him and his for-profit business.
Sharpton has two businesses, which the Times said face
$717,329 in tax liens. The story said Sharpton personally faced more than $3 million in federal tax liens and $777,657 in state liens.
An IRS spokesman said he could not legally discuss individual taxpayer matters. A spokesman for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance said Wednesday that Sharpton had two current personal state liens totaling
$779,577 and two totaling $457,968 for one of his private communications firm.
Those balances, including penalties, have actually risen over the years, the spokesman said. For privacy reasons, the spokesman couldn't discuss any payment plans. Sharpton speculated new stories about his taxes were politically motivated because of his high profile and ties with Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Barack Obama.
``After negotiations in 2009, there was a signed document which worked out a payment plan to pay off those [debts],'' said Sharpton, referring to the back federal taxes.
The Network's 2013 federal charitable organization filing showed the group had income of $4.9 million in contributions and grants against $5.1 million in expenses. Sharpton was paid a salary of $241,545.
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