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Publication Date: September 2002
Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)
Author(s): Daniel J. Mitchell
Research Area: Banking and finance
Keywords: Taxes
Type: Report
Abstract:
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is frequently cited as the most hated of all government agencies. This aversion goes well beyond a simple dislike of paying taxes. Many Americans feel the IRS uses its vast powers capriciously to enforce a tax code that is unfair and incomprehensible. Indeed, a 1990 magazine survey found that the most frightening words people could imagine hearing when they answered the phone were: “This is the IRS calling.†Although taxpayers have every right to be upset about the oppressive tax system, their anger should not be directed at the IRS. The vast majority of the problems with the tax system are the inevitable result of bad tax policy.