Recently, I applied for a position with the IRS as a Revenue Officer. It wasn’t until after I read what they do that I decided that it wasn’t for me. Basically, a Revenue Officer is the Government’s bill collector. They are the ones on the front line that go to businesses and individuals to collect past due tax bills, even if it means seizing property. Want to know what the deciding factor was for me? They are not allowed to carry weapons. You mean to tell me that I am going out to some guys business (that he built over the past 30 years) to seize his property without a gun? Are you kidding me? Don’t you think he will do almost anything to protect his business?
I told you all of that to talk about a story that I read yesterday. Apparently, a Texas restaurant owner has been sentenced to 2 years in jail for trying to offer an IRS agent free pizza and a job. I guess he was a more friendly business owner.
It all started when, you guessed it, the owner decided to not pay his taxes. He owed $49,000 in back taxes for the years 2004 to 2007. When the IRS agent showed up, the owner offered the agent $2,500 (and all the pizza they wanted) in exchange for having the tax liability reduced from $49,000 to around $500. During these subsequent meetings, the IRS agent recorded their conversations and that was all that was needed for a conviction. The owner is a citizen of India and will be deported after his sentence is up.
So to those who think they can bribe their way out of a tax liability, think again!
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Ingenious bribe. Not sure the pizza owner was serious though. Maybe it was a joke?
IRS agents are notoriously “by the book” and sticklers for the proper procedures. Can’t believe someone actually offered a pizza for some kind of restitution. Should have paid his taxes on time like a normal citizen.
The guy was stupid, that’s for sure.
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This is too funny! I can’t believe someone actually thought they could bribe an IRA employee with a measely $2,500 and all the free pizza. If you are going to bribe someone then you gotta make it at least worth their while.