BILL LEONARD'S TAXPAYER RIGHTS AGENDA

By Bill Leonard

If you are accused of a crime in court, the burden of proof of your guilt is with the government. It should be the same at our tax departments.

PLACE PRO-TAXPAYER EVIDENCE STANDARD IN LAW

To prove fraud, the Board of Equalization abides by a court decision that requires evidence against a taxpayer to be "clear and convincing". Yet accused criminals enjoy protection "beyond a reasonable doubt". Taxpayers should have at least the same rights as criminals.

HOLD TAX COLLECTORS ACCOUNTABLE

Tax department employees have broad immunity that shields them if they abuse taxpayers or violate their rights. Tax employees should not have greater immunity than public safety employees.

TAXPAYERS SHOULD HAVE PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Taxpayers coming before the Board of Equalization should have the same access to public defenders that accused criminals have in court.

TAXPAYER PRIVACY SHOULD BE INVIOLATE

Taxpayers may voluntarily make their information public by seeking justice before the BoE or a court, but involuntary disclosure is an outrage that deserves correction and vigilant monitoring.

CONSOLIDATE TAX DEPARTMENTS

The state's myriad tax departments should be merged into one to save money and to make it easier to comply with tax laws. It should be run by an elected Tax Commission whose members are accountable to the people by how they defend taxpayer rights and administer justice.