IRS to ask poor to prove tax credit eligibility - Left worried too burdensome

Boston GLobe ^ | April 26, 2003 | Mary Dalrymple, AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service plans to ask thousands of low-income people to submit proof this year that they qualify for a tax credit designed to lift working people out of poverty.

A group of Senate Democrats say they will not confirm President Bush's nominee for IRS commissioner until they have assurances the new certification requirements will not be too burdensome.

[goldstategop]

LMAO! Any one under $35,000 a year doesn't have to file a 1040 form. Sheesh. The Democrats are making much ado about nothing.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They're just shoring up their base with our tax dollars.

[upchuck]

The IRS will ask 45,000 people in this high-risk category to submit proof later this year that they are related to the child and that the child lived with them for more than half the year. A preliminary list of documents that can be used as proof include marriage certificates, medical or school records, or an affidavit from an employer, landlord, school official, child care provider, cleric, or other local official.

My heart goes out to these beleaguered folks. If offering a little proof is gonna add so much to their already onerous tax burden, perhaps the EIC should just be eliminated. Kill several birds with one stone as it were.

</sarcasm>

[Cincinatus' Wife]

How tough can it be? This sounds like Hillary and Chuckie, who think it's too much to ask New Yorkers to produce a photo I.D. at the polls.

[Glenn]

How tough can it be?

All is not as it appears in print. They'll get a letter from the IRS demanding that they appear on such-and-such a date at such-and-such a time regarding their tax return for the year {whatever} and to bring documentation.

They won't be told what the IRS is looking for in a specific manner. I know this firsthand from their "crackdown" on non-custodial parents taking a child as a deduction as the result of a divorce settlement. Took me hours to assemble everything only to be in and out of the office in 20 minutes.

They can be such asses.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They can be such asses.

Oh, no doubt. However, the alternative is to never check and then abuse would be encouraged.

[Glenn]

However, the alternative is to never check and then abuse would be encouraged.

The alternative is to send a letter with a specific request for specific documentation for a specific set of circumstances instead of using the "fear factor" the IRS holds as its ace.

[Non-Sequitur]

Any one under $35,000 a year doesn't have to file a 1040 form.

Anyone who worked has to file a 1040 of some sort. They may get all their witheld taxes back but they have to file in order to get it.

[goldstategop]

Hmmm.... and the Dems want to make sure there's this tax credit.

[JoeGar]

Sorry, but I missed it all. I boycott ABC News programs.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The innocent get caught in the net. If there was no fear, there wouldn't be much compliance.

[Glenn]

If there was no fear, there wouldn't be much compliance.

That's beyond stupid.

[gulfcoast6]

Still buying those votes, huh?

[The Wizard]

what the hell is it with these people...they want stuff for free but it's too much trouble to prove need....

I have a brother in law who actually said the reason that crusty didn't want voting reform was becasue it made it inconvienent to vote.....voting is series and you should have to PROVE who you are, and if you can't, you can't vote. that's all there is to it.

[Truth29]

Another alternative is to switch to a flat tax or national sales tax system. The complexity of our present tax system has become a great and costly burden on society.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

How tough can it be? This sounds like Hillary and Chuckie, who think it's too much to ask New Yorkers to produce a photo I.D. at the polls.

Isnt this amazing, Iowa Democrats think the same thing. They claim the Rs are trying to make it more difficult for people to vote. We need more people voting, according to the Dems in this state. Vilack is even threatening to veto the bill.

[The Other Harry]

Another alternative is to switch to a flat tax or national sales tax system. The complexity of our present tax system has become a great and costly burden on society.

To me, that's the core issue. I don't so much object to the taxes I pay as to the absurd complexity involved with the record-keeping requirements and the preparation of the forms.

[Feckless]

The same scumbags who try to strangle my Second Amendment rights with over-regulation want to make it easier to claim my stolen money.

[stylin19a]

The earned income tax credit, launched in 1975, returns some of the payroll taxes paid by the working poor to encourage them to continue working instead of applying for welfare

I don't understand this explanation. What payroll taxes ? Payroll taxes are generally considered as those taxes other than inxcome tax.

Generally, those eligible for the EIC have will have paid little or no income taxes. You can get the EIC if you have earned as little as $1.00. You can be on welfare and still get the EIC. Shoot..you don't even have to have any kids to qualify for the EIC

What's wrong with asking for documentation of eligibility ?