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talkpoliticsSome of the following may not be news for those who have come across IRS publication 525 regarding taxable income, but to those who have not, I assure you I am not making the following up.
In looking for a particular form of income and where to put it in the tax form, I came across some of these other forms of taxable income:
"Illegal Activities Income from illegal activities such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1080, line 21 or on Schedule C...."
On this one, I can almost see a logic at work, albeit a very cynical one. Since police power rests with the states to prosecute drug laws, use the Capone method and get 'em at the federal level on tax evasion. Not sure how often it has or hasn't been used by the federal level to achieve prosecutions, but I can't think of any other reason to put such a ridiculous sounding provision in the tax code. Note, none of this should be interpreted to imply that I agree with any of these end-run shenanigans, but at least a certain logic can be seen.
Amongst the other taxable items:
Kickbacks, and Bribes (presumably for new and confused Congressmen unfamiliar about how these should be filed). The section also details how "found objects" qualify as income, despite the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, an un-enforceable tax. No money changes hands, and there is no record for if and when you find an object of value.
Now, I have been known to be fairly cynical in my attitudes to how the government operates, but when one sees these things printed in black and white, can there really be any wonder why I and others have deep seated skepticism (aside and apart from the more logical arguments one can make and which have been often made) when a new federal program like the recent health care initiative is touted as being 'deficit neutral'? How many of you were previously aware of these provisions? Can anyone here attempt to explain or even defend the inclusion of some of these provisions?
In looking for a particular form of income and where to put it in the tax form, I came across some of these other forms of taxable income:
"Illegal Activities Income from illegal activities such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1080, line 21 or on Schedule C...."
On this one, I can almost see a logic at work, albeit a very cynical one. Since police power rests with the states to prosecute drug laws, use the Capone method and get 'em at the federal level on tax evasion. Not sure how often it has or hasn't been used by the federal level to achieve prosecutions, but I can't think of any other reason to put such a ridiculous sounding provision in the tax code. Note, none of this should be interpreted to imply that I agree with any of these end-run shenanigans, but at least a certain logic can be seen.
Amongst the other taxable items:
Kickbacks, and Bribes (presumably for new and confused Congressmen unfamiliar about how these should be filed). The section also details how "found objects" qualify as income, despite the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, an un-enforceable tax. No money changes hands, and there is no record for if and when you find an object of value.
Now, I have been known to be fairly cynical in my attitudes to how the government operates, but when one sees these things printed in black and white, can there really be any wonder why I and others have deep seated skepticism (aside and apart from the more logical arguments one can make and which have been often made) when a new federal program like the recent health care initiative is touted as being 'deficit neutral'? How many of you were previously aware of these provisions? Can anyone here attempt to explain or even defend the inclusion of some of these provisions?
(no subject)
Date: 15/4/10 05:00 (UTC)Yes, we get it, you don't like the government. You ain't sposed to.
(no subject)
Date: 15/4/10 05:08 (UTC)