Yes, you should snitch on someone who brags that they cheat on their taxes
WASHINGTON » In my house, ABC’s “What Would You Do?” is must-see TV.
It is a hidden-camera show that looks at how people react when presented with certain situations. For example, upon noticing someone is stealing items at an open house, would you seek out the real estate agent and report the thief? During a recent online discussion, a reader presented a situation that would be perfect for the program.
“I have a co-worker and friend whose money practices drive me insane,” the reader wrote. “He spends every penny, and mocks me for being frugal. Now he’s telling me all of the sketchy purchases that he deducts on his taxes, claiming they are work expenses. This includes restaurant meals during the workday (‘we talked about work!’) and clothing bought for a presentation at work. I want to report him to the IRS.”
Indeed, IRS Publication 529 explicitly says “lunches with coworkers” is a nondeductible expense.
So, should this person snitch? OK, the word “snitch” isn’t fair, because it insinuates that the informant trying to do the right thing is, in fact, wrong. It’s better to characterize the person as a whistleblower.
If you suspect or know of an individual or business that is falsifying exemptions, deductions or, for that matter, not reporting income, you can file IRS Form 3949-A. You can find the form at irs.gov or order it by phone at (800) 829-0433. Although you have the option of writing a letter to the IRS, using the form is usually best, according to IRS spokesman Eric Smith.
“Provide as much information as you can about the person, what you believe they did and how you know what they did,” Smith said. “The same is true if
If you have concrete evidence about a tax cheat, inform the IRS. Fraud impacts us all. For instance, shoplifters aren’t just hurting the bottom line of businesses. When they steal, prices rise for all customers, and that makes the stealing your business. The same with tax cheats.
the suspected violations involve a business.”
Smith said that — although you’re not required to do so — it’s helpful to provide your name and address. “We keep information about anyone who provides information confidential,” he said.
The agency will not share it with the person or business you are reporting.
Americans overwhelmingly say that it is not acceptable to cheat on your taxes (85%) and that everyone who cheats should be held accountable (90%), according to a 2018 IRS survey.
It’s important to note that the co-worker is in fact cheating if he is claiming deductions he knows he’s not entitled to take. However, tax rules are complicated and can leave room for interpretation.
In general, taxpayers can deduct 50% of the cost of business meals if certain criteria are met. The meals can’t be lavish or extravagant and they must occur in the course of conducting business, according to Susan Allen, senior manager for Tax Practice & Ethics for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
“So if you’re having a meeting with a potential client, that might meet the threshold,” Allen said. “If you’re going to lunch with a co-worker and just talking about your workday, that likely would not meet the threshold.”
Employees can no longer deduct certain out-ofpocket costs thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which put an end to a number of unreimbursed job expenses (except for taxpayers who fall under a special category, such as Armed Forces reservists).
Prior to the act’s passage, employees could deduct the cost of clothes for work, but only if they were mandatory — such as uniforms or protective clothing like a hardhat or work boots.
If the clothing could have been worn outside of work — like a business suit or dress — you weren’t allowed to deduct the expense because it was considered everyday wear.
In this reader’s case, there’s not enough specific information to file a report. The concerned coworker couldn’t provide a lot of the details asked for on the IRS referral form.
“Unfortunately, many of the tips we receive are not that useful,” Smith said. “But good information from people in the know really can make a difference. That’s why it’s so worthwhile that anyone submitting an informant report be as specific and complete as possible.”
If you have concrete evidence about a tax cheat, inform the IRS. Fraud impacts us all. For instance, shoplifters aren’t just hurting the bottom line of businesses. When they steal, prices rise for all customers, and that makes the stealing your business. The same with tax cheats.
Just as a reminder, every taxpayer signs their tax return under penalties of perjury, points out Miklos Ringbauer, a certified public accountant based in Los Angeles.
You may not have enough information for a whistleblower complaint, but you don’t have to stay silent when someone is bragging about sketchy or fraudulent tax deductions.
Tax evasion is unfair to the vast majority of taxpayers who — whether they like it or nor — pay what they owe.
Readers can write to Michelle Singletary c/o The Washington Post, 1301 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071. Her email address is michelle.singletary@ washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter (@ SingletaryM) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ MichelleSingletary). Comments and questions are welcome, but due to the volume of mail, personal responses may not be possible. Please also note comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer’s name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.