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Tax Gap Issues

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The “tax gap” is a term that refers to the difference between how much of tax is collected compared to the amount that should be collected. It also refers to those taxes that are not paid by: nonfilers, tax cheats, delinquents, and those who interpret the tax laws differently than stated, and those who apply tax law wrong whether on purpose or by accident. The most recent amount of know tax gap, is $385 billion which is the difference between the underpayment of close to $450 billion and collection from audits and other collections, of $65 billion. The IRS has stated in the past that is their belief that only 85% of the population report the correct amount of tax. Since a person forms their own return it is possible that a number could be forgotten by accident or on purpose to alter the amount of tax/refund result. There are three main sources that …show more content…
There are several political and economic issues that revolve around the issue of the tax gap. One of the bigger issues is that if there would be a way to completely eliminate the tax gap, it would cut the massive federal budget but a substantial amount. However, there are three reasons that a complete elimination of the tax gap is extremely unlikely. From an economic viewpoint the impact a change in the tax system would alter the citizens of the U.S. in a negative way. In order to get a more complete and accurate take on the taxes coming in, a more detailed and heavily issued audit system would have to be implemented. This new audit system would cause taxpayers more time than it already take for them

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