Jason

This time it's United State Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk who owes back taxes, joining the ranks of other tax-addled Cabinet nominees such as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, former Health and Human Services Secretary designate Tom Daschle, and former chief performance officer nominee Nancy Killifer.

Kirk owes $9,975 in back taxes, most of that from speaking engagement honoraria. Kirk had told organizations to give speaking fees directly to his alma mater, Austin College. In all, $37,750 of honoraria were not reported as income for tax years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Senate Finance Committee reported, saying that Kirk should have accepted the money directly, made the donations himself, and then claimed the cash as charitable donations.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...ack-tax-i.html

Drew1369

sobeit

I have not read the blog but based on what is written in this thread, it seems to be an honest mistake because tax rules are complicated. This year the finance commitee may say one thing and the next something else.

Over all, I would think because of interpretations, everyone has violated the tax laws at one time or another.

I am glad they are finally looking closer at the finances of individuals who are getting important positions in the nomination stage instead of waiting until after the fact.

bry623

When it is a democrat it is an honest mistake. When it is a republican, it is a crime. Talk about double standards. I thought BHO finally owned up and took responsibility and apologised. If he were truly sorry, he'd stop doing it.

Chode

Golly, us Dems is just so doggone financially irresponsible that our mistakes are just mistakes. When one of the Republican Gods of Financial Responsibility underpays, it has to be tax fraud.

Seriously, though, I'd like a show of hands of those that have never had a mistake on a tax return. And yes, that would include the IRS deciding you over-paid and had a bigger refund coming than what you calculated. My ex-wife has an MPA (Master of Professional Accounting degree) and she has consistently refused to hire any accounts without an MPA, because she maintains the tax code is so complicated that less qualified personnel can't be counted on to interpret it correctly. Tax prep software just makes her roll her eyes.

Drew1369

How is overpaying a mistake?

Chode

If you misfigure your taxes and pay more than the IRS determines you actually owe, they'll refund the difference. It has happened to me, and I've also been on the other end of the spectrum once when IRS said that I hadn't filed a return from about 5 years in the past. Somewhere in a move from Austin, TX to Woodbridge, VA I came up short a tax return, payroll stubs, etc. It was cheaper and easier to pay the bill than it was to contest it, even if the settlement was "X tax dollars + penalty and interest = Holy Crap!"

If you're wondering why my ex-wife the Super Powered Accountant wasn't handling this for me, I can only assume you've never had an ex

sobeit

In this particular case it would make no difference to me if it was a democrat or republican who made the mistake and it actually seems to be one... now if it was rush limbaugh...