My retirement has allowed me the luxury of not having to spend hours of reading each week to keep current. But for the decades when I did, the overwhelming groups of tax cheats (who also accounted for the biggest estimated pool of unpaid tax) were people who cheated on their actual returns and the self employed. Self employed tax cheats try to conduct their income and spending in cash so it was untraceable.

"Poor" people include many who work full or part-time for legit employers at low wage rates, and that income is subject to tax withholding and W-2 reporting. Not a lot of unpaid tax to collect from these people.

I used to work with a woman who had owned her own business. Her tax accountant said he was paying their taxes, taking the money out....but putting the money into HIS account, stealing the money. The woman ended up closing the business and going to work to make enough to get out of debt. She figured it would take three years to get out of debt, then she'd retire.

My dentist had enough money put away to build a custom home, but then realized the money was "stolen" by her accountant. She reported the theft, but didn't press charges, since the money had been spent. No tax issues, just no 6-figure savings account, she'd worked all her life for. She decided to take out a loan and build her dream home anyway.

Apparently a LOT of people have money issues due to their accountants.

Nicole

My comment above was a counter point to someone (Lucille?) suggesting poor people who hadn't paid tax shouldn't be pursued for unpaid taxes.

That comment seems to have been deleted, making my comment orphaned and not immediately sensible. I'll keep it there as a reminder that deleting comments is poor form.

"Apparently a LOT of people have money issues due to their accountants."

Maybe but I don't think so.

Dishonest employees are FAR more numerous, along with so many other kinds of dishonest people folks interact with. Vendors, service providers of all kinds, even family members. There are scoundrels of all shapes and sizes.

There are no requirements to calling onesself an accountant. If you're looking for integrity, deal with a CPA. It takes complying with educational and other pre-reqs, passing a hard test, and maintenance of a state license that gets revoked in the case of unlawful or unethical conduct.

OK....here's another one. Steve Harvey's accountant stole $25million, leaving him with tax's he thought he was paying...but wasn't. Link

Celebs have long been targets iof dishonest managers and service providers. There are hundreds and hundreds of like stories. This is a world few or none of us inhabit.

Beatles got ripped off by their manager. So did Elvis. The earning of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons went to the Mafia. Tommy James' record earnings were taken by the gangster that held his recording contact, he never made a penny during his period of popularity. Sting, Elton John.... major theft losses by advisers. The tens of millions stolen by Bernie Madoff. Et cetera.

About Lucille’s missing post - she may not have deleted it & my impression is that doesn’t ”seem” like her usual style. As many of you know if you’re reading the ”STILL not fixed HOUZZ” thread, missing posts either within a thread or creating one is one of the many issues being experienced by many users of this site. I’d post the link but suddenly I can’t do it! Another issue. Also many can’t log in under their long time user names & are forced into a new HU- ID. I bring this up because I know she did post to this thread - she was first one & I did read it. I don’t recall exactly what she said but my recall isn’t exactly as yours Elmer. My recall, admittedly not anywhere near eidetic, was she said something like poor people shouldn’t lose their homes over unpaid taxes - not exactly that they shouldn’t be pursued. If my memory is basically correct, that makes me think that it depends on whether we’re talking IRS federal taxes or personal property taxes. A slightly different kettle of fish.

KW , my comment responded to hers.

When a company or a business spends money that isn't theirs (because it was due as taxes) then whatever was purchased also isn't theirs.

In such a case, a seizure of assets, whether a house or a car or whatever, doesn't result in the perpetrator losing something. The true owner (the government) is reclaiming what belongs to them.

Elmer, I know you were responding to Lucille & I also wondered what happened to her post since I had read it & so I did understand yours. I had a slightly different take on what she said is all. Sure, I certainly do understand the concepts & principles you’re stating in your reply to me. Unpaid taxes are a debt owed & the debtor’s property is certainly a tangible asset that can be claimed to cover those debts. I don’t think many of us would object to the IRS claiming property from the approximately 8% or more of US millionaires or any businesses for unpaid taxes. Circling back to the missing post, my recall is the comment was referring to causing someone to become homeless or houseless to satisfy an unpaid tax debt. But, we digressed from the topic of this thread - “Annoying Ads for IRS Deadbeats” I agree with that sentiment in principle. Right up there with ”As Seen on TV!” 😁

Are they cheaper than a lawyer, because that's what people in a mess with the IRS would need.

To the point of the OP, yes, I get so annoyed at those ads from companies that will help a person reduce their debt. C'Mon! First of all, I completely understand that there are instances when a person gets into a situation due to tragedy, other unavoidable circumstances.

But ... heck - I've had hard times and not so hard times and good times. Never once have I not paid my bills or taxes. It's a responsibility and it hurts every one of us when people "get out of" paying their debts.

A lot of people, IMO, just figure that they can get out of it, or pay less, or whatever. If a person is truly needing some relief through no fault of their own, ok. But these companies, and the people they serve, make me grit my teeth.

chisue, you need to upgrade your radio listening. I recommend NPR, WBEZ in Chicago. You'll like it.

sushipup -- Hah! Yes. I do listen too PBS...a lot! I also listen to WGN; it's so 'Chicago', and it was DH's first employer out of Medill.