Refund the IRS

The recent indictment of lawyer Thomas Goldstein (no relation to my partner, Steve) illustrates why the IRS needs more funding, not less.

The Average Joe and Jane who live paycheck to paycheck, and even those with modest incomes, have simple returns and generally their taxes are over-withheld by their employers.  They need to file to get a refund.  There is little room for them to cheat unless they are earning a few bucks off the records in cash.

Crooks like Goldstein can get away with avoiding taxes by many methods, some of which are cited in his indictment:  Paying personal expenses out of a business account, paying friends and family who don't work at the firm or giving them things like cars, or not reporting income.

The fact that someone like Goldstein was doing these things for over 10 years illustrates why we need more IRS agents.  Yes, if you are audited it is a pain in the ass, but if you have your records and receipts, it should not matter.

I'm wondering how long Goldstein will get in prison.

Here is an article about him:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/maryland-attorney-and-poker-player-charged-tax-crimes-and-making-false-statements-mortgage

Here is the whole indictment:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=397ced46f9&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r3116682674219869583&th=1949173665685fcf&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=1949172f0727d1a72f41&zw