AIG Claims It Overpaid Taxes, Sues Government

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2009 Having succeeded in dispensing tens of millions of dollars to company executives last week as the country -- and Congress -- cried foul, the insurance titan is now suing the government to reclaim millions in taxes. Apparently AIG officials believe they paid the IRS too much and now are demanding a huge tax rebate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Spitzer Avoids Prosecution

Staff / Truthdig Nov 7, 2008 Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has avoided criminal charges for his well-publicized escapades with sex workers while in office. Largely responsible for the development was a decision by federal prosecutors to investigate Spitzer on questionable financial transactions -- where they found no evidence of misuse -- rather than the more titillating accusation of "transporting prostitutes across state lines." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Rich Get Richer

Staff / Truthdig Jul 28, 2008 According to the most recent data from the IRS, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans took home a greater share of the nation's income in 2006 than in any year of the previous 19. It's possibly the biggest income disparity Americans have seen since the Great Depression. The average tax rate of the super-rich was at its lowest level in at least 18 years. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

IRS Workers Fall for Simulated Password Scam

Staff / Truthdig Aug 4, 2007 According to a recent internal audit, 60 percent of IRS employees fell for the oldest trick in the book, allowing auditors posing as help-desk employees access to their digital identities, and by extension your personal and private information. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Stevens’ Home Raided by FBI

Staff / Truthdig Jul 31, 2007 The FBI has raided the home of Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate's history, who famously described the Internet as "a series of tubes." Agents were apparently searching for documents related to a contracting company that may have profited from relationships with prominent lawmakers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Last-Minute Tax Woes

Staff / Truthdig Apr 18, 2007 A deluge of tax procrastinators attempting to file electronically before the midnight deadline on Tuesday slowed the TurboTax servers to a crawl, causing wait times in the hours. A spokesman for the company that makes the popular tax preparation software said it was "absolutely amazing" how many people had waited until the last possible moment. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

IRS Gets Political

Staff / Truthdig Oct 27, 2006 The commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service has delayed the collection of back taxes from Hurricane Katrina victims until after the election in order to avoid political fallout. Four former IRS commissioners called the move "improper and indefensible." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senator Wants to Sic IRS on Pimps

Staff / Truthdig Jun 30, 2006 When Republicans push good programs, we like to take notice. This is a great example. GOP Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa wants to establish an office in the IRS that will specifically go after sex traffickers -- to get them off the street and free their prey from lives of sexual slavery. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Elizabeth Dole’s Fundraiser Disguised as Tax Form

Staff / Truthdig Mar 9, 2006 She sends out a GOP fundraising letter that appears to be from the IRS and instructs the recipient to respond. A really dirty trick. Blogger BlueNC broke the story, and AMERICAblog has good coverage. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )