GOP looks to cut IRS budget despite returns

[cynatnite]

WASHINGTON – Every dollar the Internal Revenue Service spends for audits, liens and seizing property from tax cheats brings in more than $10, a rate of return so good the Obama administration wants to boost the agency's budget.

House Republicans, seeing the heavy hand of a too-big government, beg to differ. They've already voted to cut the IRS budget by $600 million this year and want bigger cuts in 2012.

The IRS has dramatically increased its pursuit of tax cheats in the past decade: Audits are up, property liens are up and asset seizures are way up. President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress see stepped up enforcement as a good way to narrow the nation's staggering budget deficit without raising tax rates or cutting popular spending programs.

"It makes little sense to cut the agency that collects revenue," said Rep. Jose Serrano of New York, the top Democrat on the House subcommittee that oversees the IRS budget.

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman told the committee Tuesday that the $600 million cut in this year's budget would result in the IRS collecting $4 billion less through tax enforcement programs. The Democrat-controlled Senate is unlikely to pass a budget cut that big. But given the political climate on Capitol Hill, Obama's plan to increase IRS spending is unlikely to pass, either.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110301/ap_on_re_us/us_gop_tax_collectors

[Historic NY]

1. The want to starve the government revenue makers!!

[cynatnite]

2. The United States of America, Inc.

This is what we'll be after they starve the government and feed big business.

[RKP5637]

3. Yep, USA, Inc., 21st century fascist nation. In your money we trust. n/t

[lunasun]

4. Repug's base are the biggest tax cheats SO no surprise they would call off the dogs

[Johonny]

5. they are all for balancing the budget

off your money, not their rich "friends".

[lonestarnot]

6. They are into destroying the economy. Every gain, they want lost!

Can't people see what they've already done to them and what got us into this mess in the first place? People are so fucking stupid, my stomach turns.

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly, makes me sick too. "People are so fucking stupid." Most Americans

have a deer in the headlight look when you try to discuss anything of importance.

[bluestateguy]

7. If people think that will stop IRS audits of regular people, they are mistaken

It will, however, gum up tax enforcement of multi-million and billion dollar tax evaders.