Would you take diet tips from a 500-lb dietician?
That makes about as much sense as our tax collection system being run by someone who doesn’t do their taxes. Oh wait, he doesn’t. IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman spilled the beans in an interview on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers”:
Steven Scully (host): Can I just follow up on that point, do you file your own taxes or do you use a preparer?
Shulman: I use a preparer.
Shulman: I’ve used one for years. I find it convenient and I find the tax code complex…
If this isn’t a glaring indicator that the tax system is in need of simplification, what is? If the Taxman can’t do it, how can we?
Perhaps more disturbing was Shulman’s solution, or lack thereof:
Scully: So, how would you make it easier for you? In other words, how would you make the tax code less complex?
Shulman: You know, I don’t write the tax laws. Congress writes the tax laws. So, its a whole different discussion.
By the way, did you know that The Beatles’ “Taxman” was written by George Harrison when he realized 95 percent of his earnings were being taxed because he was in Britain’s top tax bracket?