Topic: Internal Revenue Service

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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.

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Tax VOX Do low-income taxpayers cheat?

Not as much as critics of the Affordable Care Act think, Gleckman says. Allegations of widespread tax fraud by low-income Americans are exaggerated.
Tax VOX Obamacare delay: Will it encourage cheating?

Critics of Obamacare say the IRS will not be able to stop people from being dishonest when they file their income tax returns. Gleckman argues otherwise.
Tax VOX How not to fix the IRS

Simply bashing the IRS for its faults won’t help fix a troubled and often badly-managed agency, Gleckman argues.
The Entrepreneurial Mind Three questions to ask when setting your own salary

Entrepreneurs should set their minimum salary based on a number of factors, including what the company's revenue is like during both the ups and the downs and what their lifestyle demands.
Obamacare delay? Large businesses get a one-year reprieve

Companies with 50 or more workers were given a one-year delay in providing coverage for their workers or face fines. 'We have heard that [businesses] need the time to get this right,' wrote a senior White House aide in a blog post. 'We are listening.'
Tax VOX What will the Supreme Court decision on DOMA mean for the IRS?

For about 75,000 married same-sex couples, the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act could mean the IRS will hand out nearly $200 million in refunds, Burman says.
Monitor Breakfast 'Major accountability issues' for IRS, Congress's tax chairmen say

The Internal Revenue Service may need to be restructured after the agency was found improperly targeting conservative groups seeking nonprofit status, say Rep. David Camp (R) and Sen. Max Baucus (D), chairmen of congressional tax-writing committees.
IRS screened liberals? 'Progressive' and 'Occupy' targeted too, says new IRS chief

IRS screening of groups seeking tax-exempt status was broader and lasted longer than has been previously disclosed, the new head of the agency acknowledged Monday.
Tax VOX Some taxes on foundations punish giving. Here's a solution.

Forcing foundations to pay excise taxes punishes organizations that see spikes in donations — making it difficult for foundations to pay out more money when society's needs are most pressing. Steuerle proposes reforming taxes to allow foundations to optimize their work.
Monitor Breakfast IRS shakeup needed after scandal, chairmen of Congress' tax-writing panels say

The chairmen of congressional tax writing committees say the Internal Revenue Service may need to be restructured after the agency was found improperly targeting conservative groups seeking non-profit status.
Tax VOX Tax reform hits a political wall

If Congress is going to reform the tax code, it will take an enormous amount of hard work and a lot of luck. But right now, tax reform just can't catch a break.
The Entrepreneurial Mind Launching a business 101

First-time entrepreneurs who are getting ready to launch a new business face many steps, including creating a corporation. Dr. Cornwall, speaking with an attorney, breaks down how you should go about doing it.
How do Americans feel about NSA surveillance? Ambivalent

When terrorists strike, intelligence agencies are faulted for failure to 'connect the dots.' If that's what the NSA is trying to do with its mass surveillance of phone records and Internet use, how do Americans feel about that?
Verizon phone-snooping flap: why Obama won't be harmed

News that Verizon has been forced to turn over millions of phone records to the US government feeds the narrative of Big Brother-ism in Washington. But concerns over national security are likely to mitigate political fallout.
Wayne Newton moving out of Las Vegas home. Why?

Wayne Newton is leaving his home of 45 years, "Casa de Shenandoah." Wayne Newton is downsizing from a 52-acre estate to a $3 million mansion with just 20 acres. The move is part of a bankruptcy reorganization.
Monitor Breakfast IRS controversies boost chances for tax reform, key Republican says

Rep. Tom Price, a major conservative voice in the House, sees 'a greater opportunity' for tax reform in the wake of IRS controversies. He made the comments at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday.
Decoder Wire How much did IRS spend filming 'Star Trek' spoof? (+video)

An IRS conference in 2010, for which the agency produced a spoof 'Star Trek' video, has become the latest flashpoint in the debate over government waste. The video was only one questionable expense.
Decoder Wire Obama approval rating slides: Scandals taking toll? (+video)

More Americans disapprove of Obama's presidential actions than approve, a new Quinnipiac poll shows. That's a reversal of the situation less than a month ago. The IRS scandal, especially, may be a factor.
Decoder Wire Michelle Obama vacation: Will critics slam this trip too? (+video)

Michelle Obama's vacation plans this summer reportedly may include a lengthy stay with Sasha and Malia on tony Martha's Vineyard. That's in addition to accompanying her husband overseas.
Energy Voices Keystone XL: Hot topic in D.C. Ho-hum in rest of US.

The House of Representatives issued another symbolic vote Wednesday in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. But after years of debate, a new poll shows half of Americans have never heard of it. Is anyone listening to the Keystone XL pipeline debate?
Decoder Wire IRS official Lois Lerner invokes Fifth Amendment. Why won't she talk? (+video)

Lawmakers have plenty of questions for Lois Lerner, the IRS official who ordered the targeting of conservative groups to stop, concerning her past statements. She said she did nothing wrong, but invoked her Fifth Amendment rights.
Opinion Is Washington too 'broken' to handle big problems such as immigration reform?

Many Americans worry that Washington cannot handle big problems such as immigration reform and the debt. But the country has been here before, and overcome a supposedly 'broken' political system. Government is divided because 'we the people' are divided on the issues.
Decoder Wire IRS deliberately harassed conservatives, majority say in poll

A new poll on the IRS scandal also finds that those who say the Obama administration is trying to conceal information outnumber those who say it's forthcoming. The tea party, meanwhile, is enjoying a 'bump.'
Culture Cafe Amy Poehler SNL: The former cast member returns for a 'Really!?!' segment with Seth Meyers

Amy Poehler returned to 'SNL' for the May 18 season finale to riff on the IRS scandal with former deskmate Seth Meyers. Amy Poehler appeared on 'SNL' from 2001 to 2008.
Why IRS investigation is already Obama's Watergate – and Benghazi, too (+video)

Since Watergate, every two-term president has had a second-term scandal. First-term mistakes and hyperpartisanship make probes – like those into Benghazi and the IRS – almost inevitable.