Chairman Miller Statement, Letter on IRS Targeting of VSOs

For more information, contact: Curt Cashour, (202) 225-3527

AUG 29, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller released the following statement and letter today regarding allegations that the IRS is unfairly targeting veterans service organizations:

"As if we needed more proof the IRS is completely out of control. After illegally targeting innocent groups solely on the basis of their political beliefs, the IRS now appears to have America's veterans service organizations in the crosshairs. Congress has already provided for the tax exempt status of many veterans’ organizations in recognition of both the selfless service of their members and the important role VSOs play in honoring, remembering and assisting some of the most vulnerable and worthy among us – wounded warriors, disabled veterans, military families, and the widows, orphans, survivors, and dependents of the fallen. Allegations that VSOs are now being unfairly targeted by the very government they sought to protect and defend are nothing short of unacceptable to me." – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

1 comment:

Unknown said...: Sorry for just now seeing this. I've been involved in advocating for ill Persian Gulf War Veterans for a number of years.

In late 2010 I received an Audit Notice from the IRS. It was exactly two weeks after having given a dinner speech to a very well known military officer's organization wherein I spoke about the controversies surrounding possible causes of Gulf War Illness including Depleted Uranium, experimental vaccines and anti - chemical agent pills, Sarin Gas, etc. At the conclusion of my presentation I noted that a number of senior retired officers were visibly upset.

I wasn't just audited once. The 2008 tax year audit was immediately followed by a 2009 audit. Then again for my 2010 returns.

I challenged the audits in the US Tax Court on the basis of having been targeted as a direct result of my frequent criticism of DOD. The Judge went on record by verbally agreeing that the targeting was indeed a possibility.

So much for freedom of speech. So much for trying to look out for my chronically ill comrades in arms. No good deed goes unpunished.

Semper Fi
David K. Winnett, Jr.
Captain, USMC (Ret.); December 25, 2013 at 10:46 PM