IRS Reports Tax Gap of $300 Billion


The Internal Revenue Service is reporting that the difference between what U.S. taxpayers owe and actually pay on time totals more than $300 billion a year. Studying over 46,000 tax returns for individuals revealed the tax gap. These results indicate a failure of 15 to 16 percent of individual tax payers to fully pay their taxes. IRS enforcement activities recovered roughly $55 billion of that total gap, leaving a net tax gap of $257 billion to $298 billion.

The tax gap is comprised of three components -- underreported income, underpayment of taxes and failure to file tax returns at all. 80 percent of gap was due to individuals underreporting their income, while non-filing and underpayment accounted equally for the remaining 20 percent.

The IRS reported that underreporting was mostly linked to understated income, not overstated deductions. The agency also determined that most of the understated income was related to business activities, not wages or investment income.

While these figures may appear shocking, they more or less match the results found in a 1988 study. The numbers are also artificially inflated by individuals that fail to file returns and pay taxes. The IRS is not expected to take any new course of action based on these results.

Richard Chapo is CEO of www.businesstaxrecovery.com">http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review.


MORE RESOURCES:
tax - Google News

UK Conservatives Rule Out Tax Increase for the Rich (Update1) - Bloomberg

MSN Money UK

UK Conservatives Rule Out Tax Increase for the Rich (Update1)
Bloomberg - 2 hours ago
20 (Bloomberg) -- The UK Conservative Party ruled out raising the tax rate on the highest earners if it wins power, rejecting a suggestion from a Labour ...
MP stands by tax comment Manchester Online
Tax rich to help middle classes, says minister Scotsman
Minister calls for 'tax on rich' BBC News
The Press Association - This Is Lancashire
all 139 news articles


Judge hears Fla. tax swap amendment challenge - Forbes

Jackson County Floridan

Judge hears Fla. tax swap amendment challenge
Forbes, NY - 23 hours ago
By BILL KACZOR 08.19.08, 1:28 PM ET A ballot proposal that would swap property tax cuts for increases in other taxes had it first day in court Wednesday, ...
Amendment 5 goes to Florida Supreme Court Bizjournals.com
"Tax swap" headed to top court Daytona Beach News-Journal
High court will determine legality of tax swap amendment, others The News-Press
Florida Today - Legal News Line
all 270 news articles


Senate returns to approve budget cuts; chambers divided on ... - News 10 Now

New York Daily News

Senate returns to approve budget cuts; chambers divided on ...
News 10 Now, NY - 54 minutes ago
Meanwhile, the Assembly and Senate remain divided on property tax relief. The Assembly worked until early this morning to approve most of the budget cuts ...
Paterson, legislative leaders agree to $500M cuts Newsday
In Georgia budget crisis, tax breaks, ‘pork’ are safe Atlanta Journal Constitution
NY Assembly, Senate divided on property tax relief WRNN
New York Times - Newsday
all 302 news articles


Senate drive for car tax exemptions in the bush - The Australian

Senate drive for car tax exemptions in the bush
The Australian, Australia - 2 hours ago
KEVIN Rudd's $555 million luxury car tax faces a Senate push to deliver exemptions for fuel-efficient vehicles and four-wheel drives in the bush. ...
Senate battle now looms over car tax NEWS.com.au
Brendan Nelson says alcopop tax may lead kids to drugs Melbourne Herald Sun
Nelson stands firm against alcopop tax ABC Online
Australian IT - ABC Online
all 374 news articles


Miss. group recommends 50-cent tobacco tax hike - Forbes

Miss. group recommends 50-cent tobacco tax hike
Forbes, NY - 1 hour ago
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS 08.20.08, 11:16 AM ET The leader of a tax study commission says the group is only "working around the edges" as it prepares to ...


Obama ad focuses on tax cuts - Boston Globe

Boston Globe

Obama ad focuses on tax cuts
Boston Globe, United States - 2 hours ago
Then the announcer slaps Republican John McCain for wanting to give big corporations and oil companies hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks by ...
McCain sticks rich celebrity tag on Obama in new radio spot. Chicago Sun-Times
Obama, McCain Launch Dueling Negative Ads CBS News
Obama, McCain ads slam rivals on tax policy CNN Political Ticker
BBC News - FOXNews
all 118 news articles

Taxrome.com © 2008