Dear Mr. President:
Last week, millions of Americans did their duty, obeyed the law, and completed and filed their individual income tax returns on time. Although this can be one of our citizens’ least favorite annual rituals, most taxpayers do what is right and provide their share of funding to keep our national government running. Unfortunately, the Finance Committee has received the enclosed information from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the failure of Federal employees and retirees to pay taxes. The information shows that 450,332 government workers and retirees who receive tax dollars in the form of Federal pay checks or retirement benefits owe almost $3 billion in back taxes.
In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said:
“Taxes, after all, are the dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society… But I am afraid we have many who still do not recognize their advantages and want to avoid paying their dues."
One of the strongest features of our democracy is our system of collecting income taxes through individual self-assessment. The American public rightly expects a high degree of honesty and personal integrity from those in government. And those in government have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public they have the highest ethical standards and are paying their fair share of taxes.
As the nation’s Chief Executive, we are asking you to instruct heads of executive departments and agencies to remind Federal employees and retirees of their tax obligations and to warn them of the consequences for failing to comply with our nation’s tax laws.
By not collecting all of the taxes that are owed, federal deficits and debt are significantly increased. In addition, an unfair tax burden is foisted on honest taxpayers.
Sincerely yours,
Max Baucus
Charles E. Grassley
Enclosure
Source: Ranking Member’s News
