Thread: MICHIGAN - Hispanic leader: go after tax preparers

Hispanic leader: go after tax preparers

Carlos Sanchez responds to Target 8 story

woodtv.com
By Ken Kolker
Published : Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 5:03 PM EDT



(video at source link)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Following a Target 8 report about illegal immigrants using a loophole to collect billions in federal child tax credits, many people commented the answer is simple: deportation.

But the head of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said that is misguided.

Carlos Sanchez said the IRS should instead target tax preparers who allegedly provide false names and Social Security numbers of children to illegal immigrants to get bigger federal tax returns.

A Holland attorney told Target 8 he's aware of at least one West Michigan tax preparer who has sold that information for hundreds of dollars. It's not uncommon, he said.

And one undocumented worker told Target 8 the two children listed on her tax return were not hers - and were put there by an Grand Rapids tax preparer. However, the worker did admit providing a fake name and fake Social Security number for herself.

But on Tuesday, Sanchez said most undocumented immigrants would not initiate that.

"The last thing they want is to draw attention to themselves," he said. "I believe it starts with the tax preparer because that person has the knowledge, has the know-how and in a way has the reward."

The IRS refuses to say whether it is pursuing local tax preparers.

Target 8 is also trying to reach West Michigan members of Congress about a bill introduced a year ago that would keep illegal immigrants from getting child tax credits.

source: Hispanic leader: go after tax preparers | WOOD TV8