“Tragedy” ultimately defines the story of the life, and the end of the life of 53 year-old Andrew Joseph Stack, a disgruntled software engineer that flew his Piper Cherokee into an Austin, Texas office building. The building contained offices for about 190 IRS employees. The crash set off an explosion and raging fire that sent workers fleeing for their lives. Stack was killed in the crash along with Vernon Hunter, a 67-year old Revenue Office Manager
Stack had been in a string of battles with the Internal Revenue Service that
stretched over most of his professional life. He recorded his experiences in
a 7-page manifesto
that he posted on the internet before carrying out his attack. In the document,
he made no mention of any specific actions by the IRS, like a levy
on his bank accounts or a move to garnish
his wages. Instead, he blasted corrupt law makers and greedy corporations for
caring only about the wealthy and nothing about ordinary people. He bitterly
excoriated the government for ignoring poor citizens in financial desperation
and running to bail out corporate “Thugs and Plunderers” at every
opportunity.
“I have had all I can stand,” he wrote, “I choose not to keep looking over my shoulder at ‘Big Brother’ while he strips my carcass.”
“Nothing changes unless there is a body count.”
He then apparently set fire to his own house, about six miles away from the
crash site and proceeded to an airport in Georgetown, about 30 miles from Austin.
His wife, Cheryl, and daughter were rescued by a neighbor.
Stack then took off in his single-engine Piper Cherokee without filing a flight
plan (not unusual for a flight of this kind) and headed toward Austin. A little
before 10 AM he descended to a low altitude over the city and plowed into the
7 story black glass building. The crash resulted in a thunderous explosion that
stirred up disturbing memories of 9/11.
One major issue that gave Stack fits and caused him to become so embroiled
in frustration with the IRS is the 1986
Tax Reform Act, in particular section
1706. The law redefined how independent contractors providing technical
services, like software engineers, would be taxed. In particular, it redefined
whether an employee could be 1099ed or instead would have to file a W2. The
law made it more difficult for independent contractors who received clients
through a 3rd party referral service to qualify for 1099 status.
Stack also refused to file a tax return during a particularly rough year in
which he earned no money. Needless to say, the powers-that-be in the IRS balked
and informed him that he was required to file in order to avoid penalties. Looking
for some relief, he protested the courts in an attempt to get a legal objection
but time had run out.
We’ve all heard the axiom about “death and taxes,” and that
neither reality can be avoided by a mortal man or woman. But it seems that some
of us remain steadfast in our resentment and opposition to IRS and state tax
responsibilities. Following the Austin plane crash, IRS commissioner Doug
Shulman said in a statement that even though the attack “appears to
be an isolated incident,” aggressive behavior against IRS employees is
common. The Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration says
it handled more than 1,200 threats and assaults against IRS employees between
2001 and 2008.
According to the Department of Homeland
Security, anti-government sentiment, particularly within the right-wing,
and the threat of domestic terrorism against the power structure is becoming
more and more real.
"The consequences of a prolonged economic downturn — including real
estate foreclosures, unemployment and an inability to obtain credit —
could create a fertile environment for right-wing extremists and even result
in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to
those in the past," DHS wrote.
Stack’s problems with tax authorities are hardly unusual. The details
of his unresolved obligations to the federal government remain unknown, and
really don’t matter. The Internal Revenue Service has been relentlessly
chasing after anyone and everyone it presumes might have unresolved tax debt.
And regardless of your personal disposition regarding income tax, experiencing
a wage garnishment
or bank levy can be a
painful lesson.
But relief from action taken against you by state or federal authorities can be had. There are some pretty sharp tools available to tax specialists that can get you out of trouble. If you owe money to either the IRS or state in which you live, a tax relief specialist can propose an Offer In Compromise. If you qualify, you could end up resolving your tax liability for a fraction of what you owe. This is a far better solution than the one taken by Joseph Stack.
Most people facing tax problems are not tax evaders. Normal individuals can easily get entangled in the Incomprehensible Tax Code, and wind up owing some money. Some of us are procrastinators, and simply put off dealing with unpleasant chores like filing tax returns. Others fear owing the government more money than they can afford, and therefore simply don’t file.
Even if you avoid paying taxes due to a belief that the IRS is an unconstitutional
organization, is a lifestyle steeped in fear really worth living? Tax issues
can be scary, but fighting an organization like the IRS is a losing battle.
Take the first step to freedom by getting in touch with a
knowledgeable tax professional.
You need a firm that understands how the IRS and state
tax organizations work. Tax attorneys have a handle on the legal aspect,
and accountants can balance your books, but a full-service firm has an entire
legal department with attorneys, enrolled agents and former government employees.
Its important to find an agency that has a lot of experience in providing real
and measurable tax relief for their clients.