The much ballyhooed Inflation Reduction Act, includes $80 billion for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to increase staffing levels up to desired levels and to increase enforcement levels to collect unpaid taxes from wealthy Americans.. This includes the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents by 2031. Republicans have gone nuts, with mainstream Republicans making claims that a few years ago would have been made by the fringe right.
A few facts first. In 2010, the IRS had 94,000 employees. By 2021, this was down to 78,000 employees. Enforcement staff has gone down by 30% since 2010. It is estimated that the difference between what people owe in taxes and what they actually pay in taxes is $600 billion, ANNUALLY!. Currently, the ratio of emplyees handling calls is 13,000 calls for every single person. Frustrating at tax time. The IRS does purchase guns and amminuitions for IRS agents. This followed the establishment of a Criminal Investigation Division, over 100 years ago, to investigate crimes such as money laudering. Need to also stress that there is funding for 87,000 new agents. But this is through 2031 and accounts for attrition such as retirements and people simply leaving for other jobs.
First the more moderate Republican responses. Mike Crapo, the top Republican Senator on the Finance Committee claims that the funding will make Americans making under $400,000 to be “easy targets” for having revenues squeezed. House Leader Kevin McCarthy said the following. This is still in the moderate response category.
“Democrats’ new army of 87,000 IRS agents will be coming for you — with 710,000 new audits for Americans who earn less than $75k,”
Again, 87,000 new agents by 2031. Also, the funding will be used to target high income earners and corporations.
Now for the extreme (insane) comments. Tucker Carlson, of course Tucker Carlson, is claiming that the government is treating the IRS like a military agency and stockpiling ammunition. Alledged sexual predator Jim Gaetz is claiming the following.
“Well, Joe Biden is raising taxes, disarming Americans, so of course they are arming up the IRS like they are preparing to take Falluja”
It gets worse. Brian Kilmeade of Fox Propoganda, also known as Fox News, says that.
Joe Biden’s new army (could) hunt down and kill middle class tax payers that don’t pay enough”
Ronna McDamiel the Republican National Committee Chair is claiming that the IRS could send IRS “swat” teams after kids selling lemonade. Yes, she said that. Then we have Senator Chuck Grassley
“Are they going to have a strike force that goes in with AK15s ready to shoot some small-business person in Iowa with these”
After I typed that I actually, in a frustrated tone, said “f#$k me” I have been saying that a lot lately when I see Republicans talk. It used to just be limited to Trump. But with these Trump lemmings (just said it again).
This is what happening in America. It used to be that the lunatics were just limited to the far right. Now it is their mainstream. Their mainstream includes Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert… (I just said it again). The fringe has become the mainstream.