NoSSN - Answers to Questions

Answers to Questions
November 15, 2001

Somebody sent me a link in my e-mail today. I thought I would take a look at it. This is a site for a company that will negotiate with the IRS on your behalf.

http://www.taxes.com/tax_scams.html

As you know, we are in search of the truth here at NoSSN. Don't let it be said that we don't have any information from the other side. If you would like to read what these people have to say, you certainly are welcome to do so.

I decided to ask these people a couple of questions. I sent them an e-mail. Here is the text of the e-mail I sent:

I have just gotten through reading your page on Tax Protest Scams and I

would like to publish a link to that page on my site. I do have a couple

of questions for you first.

I understand John Kotmair of Save-A-Patriot did serve time in jail.

His office was raided in the early 90s. All of the equipment was

returned several days later. To the best of my knowledge the

organization does not withhold or file taxes. Mr. Kotmair does not

pay or file income taxes as well. If this is such a blatant scam why

are they still in business? I'm sure the government knows where they

are. They have even sent invitations for the IRS to show them where

they are wrong.

I also understand that there are more and more companies that have

stopped withholding from their employees. To the best of my knowledge none

of these businesses or their employees have been sent to jail. If their

arguments have no merit or are frivolous there should be no problem having

them arrested and thrown in jail. It should be a simple matter to bring

them into compliance with the law.

Thanks, I look forward to your response.

Yes, I got a response. The person who wrote back to me is Steve H. Kassel. Here is his information from their website:

Steven H. Kassel, EA Founder, President & CEO

Steve Kassel left the IRS in 1992 after serving five years as a Revenue Officer in San Jose. Steve got his Enrolled Agent (EA) license shortly thereafter. He founded
TAXES.COM in January 1993 (known as FIRSE TAX, 1993-1999 & IRSTAXES.COM, 1999-February 2001). TAXES.COM is devoted exclusively to the representation of
taxpayers with unpaid or unfiled taxes.

In 1997, Steve was flown to Washington at government expense and testified on Capitol Hill on IRS problems before The National Commission on Restructuring the
Internal Revenue Service. The Restructuring Commission’s recommendations became the framework for the historic IRS Restructuring & Reform Act that was signed
into law by the President in 1998.

Steve is frequently quoted by the media on IRS problems. Steve has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America & Fox News Channel's The O'Reilly Factor. He has
been quoted by numerous print publications including the New York Times, Worth magazine, CNNfn.com and many others.

Steve wrote a comprehensive article on the IRS Offer in Compromise program for the largest association of tax professionals in the country, the National Association of
Enrolled Agents.

Steve was the Republican candidate for the California 19th Assembly District seat in November 2000 and was defeated by the incumbent office holder.

Steve is a 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland where he served as student manager for the nationally ranked men’s basketball team. He lives with his wife and
two sons in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is one of the things that has always bothered me; if what Save-A-Patriot is doing or promoting is so blatantly illegal and incorrect, why are they allowed to still be in business? Why aren't the doors padlocked shut. The IRS believes they are all powerful and can do whatever they need to. So what's the hold up?

I awaited a response. I sincerely wanted to hear what they had to say. Here is the response, in it's entirety:

They will be arrested, tried and convicted.

Steve Kassel, EA

President & CEO

Taxes.com

Thank you for that lengthy and in depth response.....

I wrote an e-mail back to Mr. Kassel. Maybe he didn't read my questions or understand themI clarified my questions:

Steve,

Thank you for your response.

Perhaps I wasn't clear in the way I worded my questions. Allow me to

clarify.

The Save-A-Patriot headquarters was raided. Their equipment

(computers, files, office machines etc) were confiscated. Yet,

several days later it was returned. No charges were filed. No one was

arrested. No one went to jail. Mr. Kotmair's home was raided at the same

time. They let them go and allowed them to reopen for business. This was

nearly ten years afetr Mr. Kotmair went to jail. It is now getting close

to twenty years since he went to jail.

If you are saying they will be arrested, tried and convicted, they

are taking their sweet time going about it. If it is so very

dangerous and illegal, why have they been allowed to keep their doors open

and stay in business for over twenty years?

I have counted over 30 companies that have stopped withholding. I

know of no one that has gotten arrested as a result. Does it simply

take 25 years for that to happen?

Thank you and I look forward to your response,

In my opinion this e-mail I sent was in no way mean spirited, accusatory or could be construed in any way as derogatory. I received an e-mail back. Three sentences this time:

As I said, they will be arrested, tried and convicted. I have no time to

converse with people of your ilk. Good day.

Steve Kassel, EA

President & CEO

Taxes.com

I'm insulted! People of my ilk? Does he mean people who value freedom and oppose tyranny?

"Most people, sometime in their lives, stumble across truth. Most jump up, brush themselves off, and hurry on about their business as if nothing
had happened." -- Winston Churchill

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