IRS to pay bounty to contractors to collect taxes !!!

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.fedweek.com/mcausey/mcarticle.asp


Thoughts on Contract Work
Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Print Version
By Mike Causey
FEDweek Senior Editor
Times change. Especially in the political world. Example:
Last week the designated head of the Internal Revenue Service told a congressional committee that yes, he and the IRS would get tougher with people who don't pay their taxes. Or ignore notices. Or don't file tax returns.
Five years ago the designated head of the Internal Revenue Service told a congressional committee that yes, he and the IRS would go easier on taxpayers who had a squabble with the IRS. The IRS was criticized (in some cases correctly, in others not) for brow-beating taxpayers and using strong arm tactics to get money.
Times change.
Now Congress--including many of the same members who pulled the IRS's teeth--want the IRS to be more efficient (as in meaner-than-a-junkyard-dog) in collecting taxes. Collections are down, audits are down, compliance is down. We need the money.
The new commissioner said he would do it. He will get tougher. Part of the plan is go to outside contractors, and pay them to collect taxes. And give them 25 cents of every dollar they collect. That's quite an incentive. One that would be illegal (thank goodness) if the IRS proposed it for its own employees. But it's okay for outsiders to get it, right?
During the same testimony, the new commissioner said that one reason the IRS lately has been less than efficient is that computer systems--designed, sold, installed and set up by private contractors--continue to be put in service late. And that their costs are often more than IRS was led to believe they would be.
Maybe the IRS should take the contract collectors it's going to hire to hammer taxpayers and pay them a flat fee--plus a 25 percent commission--for straightening out the other contractors who have fouled up the IRS computer system.
Just a thought

[WastelandWarior]

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