Force Congress & Senate to prepare their own tax returns?

[AZ-Tax]

Former MN Gov Pawlenty (R) outlined a few of his ideas to help the economy, should he throw his hat in the ring – including making members of Congress file their own taxes so they realize firsthand the complexity of our system.

“No help of an accountant or lawyer or tax specialist. And if they can’t do it we’ll give them a certification that they can go get some help,” he told me. “But I’d like every one of those individuals to have to do their own taxes every year and live with the mindless burdens we visit on the American people.”

http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2011/01/tim-pawlenty-on-sarah-palins-political-map-crosshairs-not-my-style.html#tp

[dtlee]

Seems pointless unless they also have to do them properly and by hand.

I know quite a few people who did quite well (until the IRS noticed) accidentally deducting things two or three times with TurboTax (Like a GPS for your taxes).

I doubt even TurboTax asks you any questions specifically about whether you have rental property in a foreign country, so these officials (many of whom are lawyers) would likely use the same seat-of-the pants rules they use now to evade taxes.

Perhaps if every tax return for a federal government elected official were subject to a statistical audit, the IRS could meet their audit and revenue targets without new taxes and without harrassing the common joe.

[BOB W]

I think ALL government officials should be audited annually. Not the "show receipts" kind but the return MUST be "eye balled" first. Any large or odd issues should be "Line" audited BY MAIL.

As part of this type of review, the IRS should have a copy of their financial disclosure form that they give to Congress,( whatever disclosure committee that is).

[kpangelinan]

Even the commissioner of the IRS himself has an accountant prepare his returns. Everyone knows it's complicated. No point in having them royally screwing up their returns to prove a point. Might be a good laugh here and there, but that's about it.

[taxxcpa]

My suggestion

They should be required to do their own return by hand. Then let them hire someone to do it the right(?) way. Then, step 3, have the IRS send one of their best auditors to check it after it is filed and assess penalties and interest on any errors.