By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – As we entered the Easter Season, I reflected on the many lessons I’ve learned from the teachings of Christ. While most focus solely on The Crucifixion and The Resurrection, I attempted to glean as much guidance as I could from the parables that Jesus used to school His followers and adversaries alike.
This is particularly true of Jesus’ response to the tests posed by the Pharisees. Asked by a Pharisee whether he could accept being taxed, He famously replied “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” Whatever logic is used to explain it in church, the takeaway of that statement is the understanding that Jesus modeled the requirement for responsible compliance with government laws.
My personal contacts and conversations lead me to believe that most Americans will, if only for the sake of avoiding unpleasantries with the IRS or the Tax Court, pay what is owed when it’s due. Few let anything short of critical financial difficulties interfere with the payment of their taxes. Those who fail to pay their taxes do so ONLY because of financial obligations that impact their lives more dramatically than the threat of tax complications. Those of us with a more progressive frame of reference generally have greater understanding and empathy for fellow citizens who’re unable to pay their full tax obligation. I would have thought that anyone familiar with our nation’s economy would feel the same.
Contrary to my expectation, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, apparently believes those citizens who owe overdue income taxes to be miscreants of the worst order – especially those working for the Federal Government. Chaffetz is so committed to this belief that on March 20, 2013 he introduced the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act. "The very least an individual on the federal payroll can do is pay their taxes," Chaffetz said in a press release. "If you are thumbing your nose up at the American taxpayer by not paying your taxes, you should be fired or not awarded a federal contract." If his bill becomes law, and you owe taxes and are a federal worker, you could lose your job.
Those owing taxes and seeking government employment would not fare any better. Chaffetz’ plan would not only direct the firing of federal employees with tax liens, it prohibits hiring those with liens. The bill requires applicants to certify that they aren’t delinquent in their taxes. Federal employers will be responsible for reviewing public records to determine if employees or applicants have active tax liens.
The Washington Post reports that 98,000 government workers owe $1.03 billion in unpaid taxes. On its face, Chaffetz’ plan seems to address a serious problem. Fairness would dictate that those who owe have the responsibility to pay. Unfortunately, rather than encouraging payment, the immediate effect of such a law would be to reduce the ability of large numbers of taxpayers to pay what they owe.