A tale about taxes
Of all the states where one might choose to become a tax collector, Idaho probably isn't an ideal selection.
But former Democratic state senator and now Idaho State Tax Commission interim chairman David R. Langhorst finds himself at that very helm.
Idaho's tax commission oversees 440 employees who might be second on the public scorn scale only to their counterparts with the IRS. It shouldn't be that way.
As Langhorst and fellow Commissioner Tom Katsilometes explained to The Press editorial board during a recent visit, the department's mission is worthy: They're responsible for collecting the funds needed by the state to pay for important services like public education and health. And for the most part, Idahoans step up to the plate: 85 percent comply voluntarily, Langhorst said.
"We're here because of the few who don't," he explained further.
On this trip, Langhorst and Katsilometes met with CPAs in the area, as well as their department staff in Coeur d'Alene. The commissioners are reaching out to a wary, tax-weary public to improve understanding of the department's role, and how it goes about its business.
Langhorst provided an excellent illustration via a personal story. He said, "State code is very strict on what to do with people who don't pay their taxes," and he described one such instance.
Langhorst accompanied an officer who was impounding the truck of a citizen who had fallen on the foul side of the state's tax laws.
"When the officer handed papers to the individual, the guy looked like he would pass out," Langhorst remembered. "You could see the blood drain from his face. It was very emotional."
Langhorst emphasized that the man - like everyone else who has the state recover back taxes through their bank accounts or paychecks, or by seizing other assets like vehicles or even homes - "had many chances to respond and comply before we got heavy handed like that."
And there's the rub. Like a utility company that gets a bad name for turning off somebody's electricity, the state's tax division makes every attempt to work out a repayment plan with those who owe it. In the case of the impounded-truck guy Langhorst met, he borrowed the money and got his truck back the next day.
Our message is twofold. First, if you do get behind in your state taxes for any reason, the worst thing you can do is fail to communicate. By the time auditors get deeply involved or the commissioners themselves are asked to intervene, positive outcomes for everyone diminish.
The other thing? Those 440 state employees are simply doing their jobs the very best they can, just like you do.
A tale
about taxes
Of all the states where one might choose to become a tax collector, Idaho probably isn't an ideal selection.
But former Democratic state senator and now Idaho State Tax Commission interim chairman David R. Langhorst finds himself at that very helm.
Idaho's tax commission oversees 440 employees who might be second on the public scorn scale only to their counterparts with the IRS. It shouldn't be that way.
As Langhorst and fellow Commissioner Tom Katsilometes explained to The Press editorial board during a recent visit, the department's mission is worthy: They're responsible for collecting the funds needed by the state to pay for important services like public education and health. And for the most part, Idahoans step up to the plate: 85 percent comply voluntarily, Langhorst said.
"We're here because of the few who don't," he explained further.
On this trip, Langhorst and Katsilometes met with CPAs in the area, as well as their department staff in Coeur d'Alene. The commissioners are reaching out to a wary, tax-weary public to improve understanding of the department's role, and how it goes about its business.
Langhorst provided an excellent illustration via a personal story. He said, "State code is very strict on what to do with people who don't pay their taxes," and he described one such instance.
Langhorst accompanied an officer who was impounding the truck of a citizen who had fallen on the foul side of the state's tax laws.
"When the officer handed papers to the individual, the guy looked like he would pass out," Langhorst remembered. "You could see the blood drain from his face. It was very emotional."
Langhorst emphasized that the man - like everyone else who has the state recover back taxes through their bank accounts or paychecks, or by seizing other assets like vehicles or even homes - "had many chances to respond and comply before we got heavy handed like that."
And there's the rub. Like a utility company that gets a bad name for turning off somebody's electricity, the state's tax division makes every attempt to work out a repayment plan with those who owe it. In the case of the impounded-truck guy Langhorst met, he borrowed the money and got his truck back the next day.
Our message is twofold. First, if you do get behind in your state taxes for any reason, the worst thing you can do is fail to communicate. By the time auditors get deeply involved or the commissioners themselves are asked to intervene, positive outcomes for everyone diminish.
The other thing? Those 440 state employees are simply doing their jobs the very best they can, just like you do.
Questions about state taxes?
http://tax.idaho.gov/index.cfm