Group of Tax-Exempt Firms Owe Over $1B in Taxes

According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, nearly 55,000 tax-exempt organizations owed over $1 billion in unpaid federal taxes at the end of September 2006. However, the report said the $1 billion figure is likely understated because "some exempt organizations have understated tax liabilities or did not file tax returns." The GAO investigated 25 exempt organizations and found abuses and possible criminal activity, including failures to remit payroll taxes withheld from employees. Some of these companies’ leaders diverted money to their own bank accounts, which they spent on million-dollar homes and luxury vehicles. You can read the full report at the Washington Post Blog.