Tax Court Takes Swipe at Daschle-Geithner-Killefer-Solis

The Tax Professor blog recently posted an entry discussing the tax courts taking an evident swipe at the recent surge in publicized famous tax evaders. You can find a segment of the article below, but the full post can be found here:

The Tax Court yesterday held that the IRS did not abuse its discretion in refusing to accept her proposed offers in compromise, upheld the IRS's tax lien and levy against her, and upheld the IRS's refusal to abate tax penalties. Taylor v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2009-27 (Feb. 5, 2009). In its conclusion, the Tax Court appeared to take a swipe at Tom Daschle, Tim Geithner, Nancy Killefer, and Hilda Solis:

Both petitioner and respondent repeatedly commented on petitioner's stature as a beloved and well-known professional singer as support for their respective positions in these consolidated cases. We disagree with both parties insofar as they contend that a taxpayer's celebrity status is somehow relevant to what this Court must do in deciding whether the Commissioner's collection action may proceed. Every taxpayer, no matter how famous or notorious, has a legal obligation to honestly report and pay his or her income tax liability each year and is entitled to fair enforcement of Federal tax laws. ... Respondent gave petitioner ample opportunity to rectify her failure to pay estimated tax when due and considered petitioner's collection alternatives in accordance with applicable administrative and legal requirements.

Tom Daschle Asks President Obama To Withdraw His Nomination for Health And Human Services Secretary

Daschle, who has been fighting for his Health and Human Services Secretary seat, has just requested his name be withdrawn from Obama's list, writes CNN.com. A segment of the article can be found below, but the full story can be found here.

Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement from the White House.

Daschle had been fighting to save his nomination as HHS secretary following controversy over his tax records and questions over his work in a field that some consider lobbying.

In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Daschle said it was an honor to be chosen to lead the reform of America's health care system.

"But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction," he said.

"Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction. The focus of Congress should be on the urgent business of moving the President's economic agenda forward, including affordable health care for every American."

The Obama administration had stood by his side, and fellow Democrats lined up behind him, but Daschle's problems, coupled with other nominees' issues, gave critics ammunition to question President Obama's call for a "new era of responsibility."

The president said Tuesday he accepts Daschle's decision "with sadness and regret."

"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country, from his years in the military to his decades of public service. Now we must move forward, with our plan to lift this economy and put people back to work," Obama said in a statement.

Daschle's resignation followed Nancy Killefer's withdrawal as Obama's chief performance officer, a new post in the administration.

Officials said privately the reason for Killefer's withdrawal was unspecified tax issues. The much-touted post was designed to scrub the federal budget.

Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was "deeply embarrassed" for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting.

Daschle recently filed amended tax returns and paid more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest for 2005-2007.

A New York Times editorial on Tuesday called for Daschle to withdraw.

The paper's editorial board particularly took issue with Daschle saying he identified the unpaid taxes in June but did not pay them until his nomination for the top post at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The editorial also criticized Daschle for generating a sizable income from health-related industries while working in the private sector.