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This is the time of year when many Americans are struggling
with that mind numbing, patience destroying, Byzantine
labyrinth otherwise known as the U.S. Tax Code. In the
interest of being helpful, I thought I’d pass along a free
tax tip my wife spotted recently while doing some
recreational reading in that perennial bestseller,
Publication 525 – “Taxable and Non-Taxable Income” (yes, she
is a C.P.A.). Gina shared with me the following item from
page 32:
Stolen
property. If you steal property, you must report its
fair market value in your income in the year you steal it
unless, in the same year, you return it to its rightful
owner.
I realize that in the world of tax
accountants this ruling may seem perfectly logical. To my
financially untrained mind, however, it raises all sorts of
awkward questions that may not have occurred to the IRS bean
counters, such as:
How does a
thief determine the “fair market value” of a motorcycle he
hotwired? Somehow it doesn’t seem appropriate to call up
the owner and ask, “Could you do me a favor? Do you
remember how much you paid for the Kawasaki Ninja 650R that
used to be in your garage?”
If he does
return the stolen property to its rightful owners, it is
proper etiquette to ask them for a receipt for his tax
purposes?
And maybe the
most puzzling of all: What leads the Internal Revenue
Service to think that someone who is dishonest enough to
steal from his peers will be conscientious enough to report
his ill-gotten gains as income on his 1040?
Apparently thievery has become so
commonplace that it merits a provision in the tax code.
When Paul described the changes that should take place after
conversion, however, he tells new Christians:
“He who
has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing
something useful with his own hands, so that he may have
something to share with those who in need” (Ephesians
4:28).
Stealing is a sin, of course (Exodus
20:15), one that destroys character and breaks
relationships. But more than that, Paul’s admonition reminds
us that thievery is the antithesis of Christianity:
followers of Jesus are to be givers, not takers;
should be productive, not pilfering; and must do an honest
day’s work, rather than filch from others who do.
So, here’s my advice: keep your hands off the property of
others. Doing so will preserve your relationship with the
Lord; help to keep you right with others; and…….it will
make your tax returns a lot less complicated!
-Dan Williams
El Dorado, Arkansas |
