Congress vs. the IRS vs. you

When two countries go to war, the citizen-taxpayers supply both the funds and the bodies to pursue it. The residents of Lower Slobovi fund their military’s just and valiant efforts. The taxpayers of Upper Mandiville support their brave, and equally just, warriors.

The narrative in wars is nearly always the same. The other guy started it. And the winner writes the official history.

In the case of the war between the IRS and House Republicans, the taxpayers of the same country — as in where you live, work and pay taxes — are paying both sides. And getting the shaft in the process. And losing money both in taxes and services.

Congress writes tax law. The IRS carries out our incredibly complicated and loophole-filled tax code. This one is a war between the people (the House and Senate) who oversee and fund (sometimes, with your money) the agency that collects the money in the form of income and corporate taxes. Your wallet and purse make it all possible.

House Republicans believe that certain partisan high-level IRS officials operated a system that made it very difficult for conservative groups to get special tax breaks that have been approved for other political organizations. They believe that it was folks in high places in Washington — not lesser brass in the Cincinnati regional office — that approved the road blocks for conservative groups and Tea Party affiliates. They believe top officials covered up the system and withheld emails that would have been the smoking-gun evidence.

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