During a recent tax filing season, I was working with a high income earning client, one that happened to be a liberal. During our meeting, the client repeatedly referred to Bush's tax cuts (passed in 2002) as "for the wealthy" and "campaign paybacks" and "unfair." What I found interesting about those remarks was the tax cuts benefited my client in a big way, so, after about 30 minutes of sloshing through the liberal talking points I couldn't resist anymore.
With a raised eyebrow and half grin I inquired, "You realize these tax cuts are benefiting you by about $5000 this year, right?" A little stunned she said, "Uh, I guess so." I continued, "Your income is about $250K, and since you are in the top 5% of American earners, you are receiving these unfair tax breaks. You and those like you pay an overwhelming majority of the US tax burden."
Quiet. Her husband snickered, and I couldn't help but wink at him.
To make sure I served them to the best of my abilities as a CPA, I went a little deeper, "Would you like for me to run your return through the previous Clinton tax rates and see what your tax bill would be so you can send in additional money with your return this year?"
Quiet, but her lips pursed now as her eyes narrowed. Her husband laughed out loud, and I couldn't help it anymore as I joined him.
"No," she said, "This is fine the way it is." Finally a sheepish grin. I knew my work was done. We continued to work on their return and her tax cut objections were never mentioned again.
In all my years of tax work, I have never, no, not once, been asked or has it been suggested to limit deductions, increase income, or any other way maximize a tax return so a liberal could pay more of their hard earned money to the federal government. Never. And I am sure that I never will. The reason is simple.
Liberals are liberals with other people's money but right-wing conservatives with their own.
By the way, she is still a client of mine to this day.
