Thread: Undocumented workers get taxes in order

Undocumented workers get taxes in order

Thursday, April 12, 2007
By Shandra Martinez
The Grand Rapids Press


Three years ago, Rosemary Castro could count on her hand the number of clients who didn't have Social Security numbers.

These days, undocumented workers account for about 15 to 20 percent of the tax preparer's clients.

"They want to get their taxes in order in case of (immigration) amnesty," said the bilingual Castro, who works for Pro-Tax & Notary, 339 E. 16th St. in Holland.

Many of Castro's clients hope to build a tax history that will help their case if they apply to remain in the United States.

That thinking reflects a national trend.

More illegal immigrants and undocumented workers are filing tax returns either to get a refund or to meet a requirement of a five-year record of tax payments when applying for a green card.

"Many just want do it. In spite of unlawful entry, they are very committed to participating as Americans and following the law as much as they can," said Susan Reed, attorney with Justice for Our Neighbors, a ministry of the national United Methodist Committee on Relief, which provides free, professional legal services to immigrants.

The risk is low because Internal Revenue Service policy is to not share tax information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Reed added.

It's difficult to determine how many immigrants are filing tax returns because the IRS doesn't track filers by their immigration status. But paid tax preparation chains, such as H&R Block Inc. and Liberty Tax Service, say they have seen anecdotal growth and are working hard to attract more business.

One measure of the immigrant market is the growth of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, or ITINs, which the IRS issues for use on tax forms instead of Social Security numbers.

Last year, the IRS issued 1.5 million ITINs, the most since the program was started in 1996 and a 30 percent increase from the 1.2 million issued in 2005.

In total, the agency has issued 10.8 million ITINs since the program began.

Seeing the demand for ITIN, Holland tax preparer Graciela Garcia became a "accepted agent" in January.

The IRS designation required an FBI background check and fingerprinting but no additional training.

The designation lets her verify the applicant had the proper identification.

Now, 60 percent of her business is from clients who have ITINs.

The one-time fee people pay for an ITIN depends on the tax preparer. Garcia charges $60, while Castro charges $95.

"We want to get rid of the barriers that keep people from actively participating as citizens," said Emily Aleman, executive director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids.

Finding a tax preparer who has an understanding of both the tax and immigration laws also can be difficult.

"Some people hold up tax codes and the Immigration & Nationality Act as the two most nightmarishly complex areas of law, and this is where they intersect," Reed said.



http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/i ... xml&coll=6

they are very committed to participating as Americans and following the law as much as they can

If they're really interested in "following the law as much as they can", they'd be packing their bags instead of filing taxes.

I wonder how much we're paying in EIC to illegal aliens.

They just had a special on Fox where yes in fact they are filing taxes....with stolen SS#'s and getting the refund before the actual people file. Doing it through HR Block on-line service..

And an EIC refund! They want American tax payers to give them money.

Dixie

[quote]"We want to get rid of the barriers that keep people from actively participating as citizens," said Emily Aleman, executive director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids.
[/quote]

There is much more to being a United States Citizen than filing a tax return. Furthermore, the motivating factor behind their desire to submit a tax form has absolutely nothing to do with their desires to a be "good citizen." However, it has everything to do with meeting a perceived check-off for amnesty. How many criminal aliens get audited? How do the dependents they claim get validated?

I'm still waiting on a bill to get passed that directs IRS to share all tax records with other federal govermental agencies. Where's the accountability IRS should have to the American people when handing out our paid taxes to illegals in the form of a refund? Yes, I'll bet most illegals are getting refund.

You got that right Dixie, that is the prime motivation for them filing taxes is to get back that fat refund check and the more kids they have the bigger it gets. Wonder if H & R Block catches the ones that file with stolen SS#'s and if so what do they do?

This morning they had some people on the radio. One guy said 3 different people were using his SS#. Using their own names and his number. I guess they were getting refunds and EIC's but their Social Security was just being tossed in a fund. Another one was audited and it took 2 or 3 years to get it straightned out and all they told her to do was file for a new number. They had a tax guy on saying alot were using the ITN number or whatever it is. Supposidly they aren't supposed to be able to get EIC with it....but the way he said it led me to believe that some were. There's all sorts of free sites set up special to help them and their "special" needs. I bet they've discovered every loophole there is like everything else.

So they come here illegally, work illegally, use citizens documents illegally and get a tax refund? What a GREAT COUNTRY.

Sometimes I think the illegals have it better here than the citizens. I would also like to know how many with Tax ID numbers are audited. Any tax reps out there?