The Internal Revenue Service: Everyone's favorite government agency, reposted to correct e-address

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

The Internal Revenue Service: Everyone's favorite government agency greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The so-called Y2K experts sound much like their brethren, the economists (check out www.russkelly.com). Their assessment of the likely impact of Y2K range from a yawn to TEOWAWKI. But what about the IRS? Much is said about its inability to successfully install any significant computer system. Rumours run rampant clamouring, 'The IRS is dead...The Beast is dead." Some say that IRS' computers are already "dead" because they have received handwritten correspondence, rather than the usual computer-generated mail. Others proclaim that the IRS is totally functional (uh, relatively speaking) in that they continue to receive assessment notices, accurate "to the penny."

What's the scoop? Is there really credible evidence that the Beast will bite the dust? If it does, what are the consequences, aside from the joy of seeing a small chunk of despotism decay into oblivion? ......Martial law...a national sales tax...a break-up of U.S. of A. into smaller, more manageable parts or ???????

-- Don Chen (DChen@newbie.com), October 23, 1999

Answers Don, Any gubmit bureaucrat who has experienced the power of control is not going to give it up easily. Most likely, they are having

around the clock meetings to decide their contingency plans for

maintaining control. The IRS won't admit failure. We can't know for

sure until next year, so you can't make definite plans. If I knew for

sure, I could advise you. If we lose communications, then they are

out of business for sure. If the banks go down, they go down

regardless of their compliance.

-- Herb (herb01@prodigy.net), October 23, 1999.

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Don, As one who has posted that I continue to receive accurate to the penny assessment notices from IRS, it appears fully functional as far as I'm concerned. I've also seen the posts from others about hand-written correspondence, and evidence of IRS mistakes in their taxpayer database. As far as those posters are concerned, IRS is not fully functional (uh, relatively speaking). I see no reason to doubt that both ends of this continuum are reporting their experiences truthfully.

So, the errors and hand-written correspondence could be just business as usual for the IRS. Or, they could be indications of y2k-related problems. I've seen no definitive evidence to prove either possibility, and doubt that such evidence exists. It appears that IRS has performed its remediation under cloak of silence better than most federal agencies, and any speculation as to their status is purely that...speculation.

IMO, *if* IRS isn't going to make it in time, I'm counting on their history to guarantee they have effective contingency plans for tax collection...either flat tax, sales tax, or some kind of value-added tax. They are definitely NOT going to allow *no tax* as an option, although I harbor some faint hope that IRS will "lose" my current information ;-)

I fail to see how IRS y2k failures logically lead to a declaration of martial law, etc. etc.

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), October 23, 1999.

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I want to see my area go to a voluntary government system. Military like the Swiss.

No "professional politicians allowed."

Strict control over what government can do "In our name" or "For us."

-- if.the.fed.fails (we.can@reinvent.the whole.thing), October 23, 1999.

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I think I can guess how the IRS will continue to function, regardless of what happens to their computer systems. They will have no problem collecting from those who owe taxes, because it doesn't take a sophisticated computer to cash your payment checks. But as far as refunds go... well, now that is a lot more complicated you see? They can't just take your word for it, and if they are having computer problems, well it's just going to take a little longer... like a year, 3 years, maybe 10 years before they can confirm exactly how much they owe you. Tough luck!

-- @ (@@@.@), October 23, 1999.

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Something is different. I recently had an altercation with the IRS, and they gave up instantly, and actually apologised. But I have no doubt that the legislation for a national sales tax has already been prepared, and will be implemented soon, with no debate.

But in any case, you should structure your 1999 returns so that the IRS does not owe you a refund next year. You will likely never get it.

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), October 23, 1999.

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well- I'm still awaiting my 98 refund from them.......anyday now I'm sure..... the recent corespondence from them assuring me I'd get the check at some point in the next few months was strange though- handwritten info all over it- now I never have much dealings with the IRS beyond the usual send in the forms stuff, but I did think that was somewhat unusual. I just want my refund.....(sigh)

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), October 23, 1999.

Reposted by a friendly neighborhood SYSOP because the original poster did NOT GET THE HINT and still used "newbie.com" as an address.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING ADDRESSES THAT HAPPEN TO BE FOR REAL COMPANIES WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTACT WITH!!

The owner of "newbie.com" has RIGHTLY complained.

GOT THE HINT THIS TIME SON?!?!?!? **SHEESH** *SIGH* (You WERE asked politely once!)

-- don Chen (d.chen@newbie.xxxcom), October 23, 1999

Answers

OOPS!! I apologize for the inadvertent error. I wasn't aware that www.newbie.com was an actual website (should have checked first).

DON

-- Don Chen (DChen@musician.org), October 23, 1999.


IMHO Uncle Sam (IRS) will ask we the sheeple to pay the same amount as we paid in '98, then the proverbial flat tax or more likely The Fair Tax-- i.e. sales tax will be put into effect. I have received info from these guys -- www.fairtax.org A verifiable alternative With backers already pushing this tax option in the congress . If wishes were .....

-- I.O.U. (Gotta Pay @Da Piper.com), October 24, 1999.

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