Thursday, February 5, 2009

Was Tom Daschle Cheated by the IRS?

Amidst an outpouring of sentiments ranging from disappointment to outrage, the press, perhaps desensitized by prolonged exposure to stories of bailed out CEO's being paid tens of millions of dollars, has failed to ask some pertinent questions regarding the derailment of the Secretary of Health nominee.
  1. How was the value of the car services that he received determined? His personal use part (80%) of $319,070. would be the $255,256 declared that Mr. Daschle received. Did Mr. Hindary (InterMedia) declare this amount as a business expense?
  2. The tax belatedly paid by Mr. Daschle (not including interest) was $128,703. which is just a tad over 50% of the value said to be received. The maximum tax rate (for amounts over $357,000) is now 35%. Why is Mr. Daschle paying 50%? Is there a different tax rate for Democrats?
  3. Are there any more important people who need to be driven around Washington for more than $106,000. a year?)*
*In my last paid position, I drove all over the five boroughs of New York City, although I had other responsibilities involved with getting buildings built. Driving around Washington DC shouldn't be much more difficult. Times are tough. A new Cadillac can be bought in DC for $50K and gasoline in the US is dirt cheap. Any more Daschles in need of a ride should put in their request to pundit@punditalia.net. I'm ready to roll.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Clever of you to figure this out. I don't need a driver (yet), but would you be interested in doing my US taxes?