July 27th, 2024

IRS collects milestone $1B in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers

The IRS has collected $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers, focusing on those with incomes over $1 million, amid political pressures and proposed budget cuts from Republicans.

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IRS collects milestone $1B in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers

The IRS has collected $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to enforce tax compliance. This initiative is part of a broader strategy following the Biden administration's climate, health care, and tax package enacted in 2022. The IRS aims to enhance its public image and demonstrate its effectiveness, especially in light of potential budget cuts that could arise from a Republican takeover of the White House and Congress. The agency's focus is on individuals with incomes exceeding $1 million and tax debts over $250,000. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized that the Inflation Reduction Act promotes tax fairness, ensuring wealthy taxpayers fulfill their obligations. Recent IRS initiatives include targeting improper deductions related to personal flights on corporate jets and collecting overdue taxes from affluent individuals. Experts suggest that if the IRS can effectively communicate its impact without burdening average taxpayers, public support for its activities may increase. However, Republicans have proposed significant cuts to the IRS budget, including a $1.4 billion reduction and plans to divert funds to other programs. Despite these challenges, the IRS continues to audit lower-income taxpayers, with a substantial portion of audits in 2023 targeting those earning less than $200,000. The agency's ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to addressing tax evasion among the wealthy while navigating political pressures and public perception.

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By @victor9000 - 6 months
During Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the IRS collected nearly $4.7 trillion in gross taxes, processed almost 271.5 million tax returns and other forms, and issued about $659.1 billion in tax refunds. [1]

IRS’s actual expenditures were just over $16.1 billion for overall op­erations in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. [2]

[1] https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-irs-data-book

[2] https://www.irs.gov/statistics/irs-budget-and-workforce

By @jimmygrapes - 6 months
For those rich folk out there, did you know that you can voluntarily give more money than the IRS requires?

https://www.treasurydirect.gov/government/public-debt-report...

By @gnabgib - 6 months
Discussion (60 points, 15 days ago, 92 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40939376
By @exabrial - 6 months
Dumb. It’ll literally be spent in hours.

The problem is the spending, not the collection.

By @indigo0086 - 6 months
Israel and Ukraine say thank you
By @from-nibly - 6 months
A reminder that taxes don't fund the government they curb inflation. The government funds itself by printing money and taking out loans.
By @fortran77 - 6 months
They can recover a lot more by looking into people who report low incomes.
By @yeuxardents - 6 months
Didn't congress add 30bln to the IRS budget solely for this purpose, and the return is 1bln? I wonder if they even know what the outlays are for collection...will they ever collect more than the 30bln they allocated? How much does everyone need to be squeezed just to retrieve that 30bln allocation...All the smartest wealthiest people have the best accountants and moved/invested/capexd their money legally to begin with, within the letter of the law and rules anyway.
By @anon291 - 6 months
Okay... That'll fund like what.. An hour of governance?

Why more Americans Are not mad at the complete waste of our tax money is beyond me

For a billion dollars, other countries are successfully building entire transit systems, high speed rails, other infrastructure, or running massive welfare programs.

We should be getting so much more.