EDITORIAL: Even when the feds help, they hurt

The problem with taxes isn’t just that we have to pay them, but also that they’re complicated.

It’s hard enough trying to figure out how to fill out tax forms, especially when multiple dependents, jobs and exemptions apply. But when the federal government decides to use the tax code for one of
its “great ideas,” the complication compounds and it is the citizens who suffer.

Case in point, more than 15 million people may owe taxes they didn’t anticipate come tax time next spring. Is it because they screwed up? No. It’s because the feds messed up payments on the Making
Work Pay tax credit.

The credit, a tax break that was part of President Obama’s stimulus package, was supposed to pay individuals up to $400 and couples up to $800. Many workers began receiving payments on the credit
in April via paycheck increases.

But because of the way the IRS designed new withholding tables, some people received money they weren’t due, and when those people next file their federal taxes, they will have to give some payback
to the feds.

Of course, the people who received the extra money did not know they weren’t entitled to it. In many cases, that cash is probably already gone, which should be good thing considering that the
government wants people to spend and stimulate the economy.

But though they may have done their “patriotic” consumer duty, some of these same citizens will soon find themselves footing an unexpected bill.

This is yet another example of a way in which the federal government tries to help, but ultimately hurts. Such unintended consequences are the norm with our Washington leaders, but in this case, they
must intervene and fix the problem.

It is not fair for the government to impose a burden upon the people because it cannot figure out how to do things properly.

Perhaps if it were possible for our elected officials to accomplish tasks without making them so complicated, but alas, in the United States of America that thought is a daydream.

If you are one of the unfortunates who will have to fork over extra cash to the government in spring, we feel for you. And the rest of you should beware of strangers bearing gifts. We promise you, there are
few things stranger than the behavior of our national leaders.

Remember that in 2010 when the next tax credits are paid out. If the government doesn’t fix this problem, it will continue in the New Year.