or the Internal Revenue retribution.
Service, it's war.
December 2003: The U.S. Justice
Tax cheaters. Offshore trusts. Department files a lawsuit
Tax-avoidance scheme operators. against Big Four accounting firm
Individual taxpayers. KPMG LLC, alleging that the
company has obstructed the IRS's
All have been targets of the IRS investigation of illegal
in what has become an aggressive tax-avoidance schemes allegedly
war over tax compliance. promoted by KPMG.
In fact, over the last few years, January 2004: IRS Commissioner
the IRS has established unlikely Mark W. Everson promises more
allies to combat the growing audits.
threat of tax cheaters.
MasterCard is even in cahoots April 2004: U.S. Justice
with the taxman. Department reports a 35 percent
increase in the number of tax
If you're a tax cheater and cheaters referred for criminal
you've survived this long, prosecution.
consider yourself lucky.
May 2004: IRS announces June
A timeline of the war: deadline for taxpayers to come
forward if they have employed the
November 2003: The U.S. Senate "Son of Boss" tax shelter.
Finance Committee holds hearings
examining tax shelter abuses. June 2004: Through partnerships
Among those to testify is a man with 48 states and the city of
with his identity and voice New York and the District of
disguised to protect him from Columbia, the IRS identifies
28,000 possible tax cheaters. of tax-avoidance schemes.
July 2004: 1,500 taxpayers come June 2005: U.S. Tax Court
forward and admit to using "Son threatens to impose fines of up
of Boss." to $25,000 for people bringing
frivolous tax-avoidance claims.
December 2004: Chemical giant
Hercules settles a case with the July 2005: IRS reports $4 billion
government in which the IRS in settlements from "Son of
alleged that Hercules employed an Boss."
illegal tax shelter. The company
agrees pay $30 million, plus a December 2005: IRS reports
penalty of about $6 million. enforcement revenues are up 10
percent to a record $47.3
February 2005: IRS identifies billion.
dozens of executives, 42
corporations, and more than $700 January 2006: Richard Hatch, who
million in stock options related won $1 million on the original
to a tax-avoidance scheme. Survivor, is convicted on tax
Government offers deal: Come evasion charges.
forward to avoid criminal
prosecution. February 2006: Will you be the
IRS's next target?
April 2005: IRS obtains more than
100 injunctions against promoters
About the Author:
Darrin T. Mish is a Nationally recognized Attorney whose practice focuses on representing clients across the United States with IRS Problems.He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbel and is a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and the Tax Freedom Institute. . He can be reached at his website at http://www.getIRShelp.com.
Source: www.isnare.com
