Comments on: Your Tax Dollars at Work: $42 Million Just to Mail Out Tax Rebate Reminder Letters

By: Kris B

Kris B — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:06:13 +0000

Why didn’t they simply enclose the letter exlaining the rebate WITH the rebate? Save a good bit on postage and the receiving party still gets their “explanation”.
Waste of money, this separate letter.

By: Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck

Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:52:08 +0000

It just gets better:

From today’s WSJ:

Congress gave the IRS more than $200 million to cover costs, mainly postage and handling. But there have been other significant costs. For example, the IRS has moved hundreds of enforcement staffers from their regular work to help answer phone calls, resulting in up to $565 million in forgone enforcement revenue, said a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a congressional agency.

By: April

April — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:20:08 +0000

Yes, Jeannette – but then you will have to pay taxes on the interest you made! Why should I have to pay taxes on interest that is from money I have ALREADY paid taxes on. Maybe lawmakers should take a look at ways to encourage savings, starting with dropping this tax (at least with a reasonable cap). Our economic trouble, in part, stems from living beyond our means.

By: April

April — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:17:48 +0000

Americans need to take a stand. Really think about how much money you pay in taxes and then how the government wastes money on programs. Maybe if Americans had to write a monthly or quarterly check for their taxes instead of being taken out of their paychecks they would realize how much they pay and there would finally be a revolution. We pay how much and still cannot provide universal healthcare?

By: April

April — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:15:12 +0000

This $42 million could have been put to some actual use. It could have fed over 100,000 families in the U.S. for a month, could have paid a full ride scholarship to a good University for at least 500 students . . . That makes me almost as mad as the fact that people who have already made a profit off of their taxes are also receiving this money. This is a rebate, if you don’t pay you should not receive.

By: Jeannette

Jeannette — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:59:39 +0000

Don’t even get me started on what a waste this “rebate” is. While it’s supposed to “stimulate the economy”, I’ll be saving mine, and besides, 600 bucks a person isn’t going to make that much difference in the big picture. It’s like putting a bandaid over a gaping wound.

So I won’t be complaining about getting money from the government, I sure as hell won’t be spending it. If the Democrats do get the White House you can be sure taxes will rise to “cover” the cost of a jillion government funded relief programs that it can’t afford. I fully expect to have to give the entire check BACK to the IRS. At least I’ll get the interest from saving or investing my check.

By: Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck

Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:53:14 +0000

Looks like $42M was just for round one. About a week ago, my Congressional representative, presumably lacking confidence that I would have understood the original IRS mailing, spent who knows how much to send me a different version with the same info.
Of course this one was in color and had her picture on it. This of course made it much easier to comprehend. But then again, it didn’t say “Do Not Throw Away” like the original IRS version.

Will there be a round three, perhaps from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing?

By: Jeff Nethercot

Jeff Nethercot — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:53:55 +0000

I appreciate the authors for taking the time to speak up about yet another instance of wasted taxpayer dollars. Tack the $42M onto what amounts to a future generation tax.

Career politicians touting good intentions with no appreciation for unintended consequences. When will we rise up and reverse this trend? On a side note, is it true that people in Congress are STILL on their own health insurance system at no cost to them (but of course, to us)?

By: H_Roarke

H_Roarke — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:28:11 +0000

Either it’s bad:
“I agree that $42 million is a waste. In fact, I think the entire tax rebate is a waste, paid for by future generations.”

Or, it’s good:
“If that’s their goal and it works, you could argue that it’s $42 million well spent.”

Think for yourself and pick one please.

By: Huffles

Huffles — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:01:29 +0000

The government’s plan is to stimulate the economy by increasing spending by consumers as quickly as possible. I agree that $42 million is a waste. In fact, I think the entire tax rebate is a waste, paid for by future generations. However, the government may “stimulate” a million people to spend their $600 TODAY, rather then after they receive their check. If that’s their goal and it works, you could argue that it’s $42 million well spent.