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Tax Collectors Use MySpace, Google to Find Deadbeats

Public profiles can provide valuable income information for revenue agents

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2009 3:31 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Internet-savvy state tax collectors are using a new tool in tracking down evaders: social networking websites. Tax collectors are taking advantage of the fact that an individual’s MySpace or Facebook profile often contains quite a bit of professional information, the Wall Street Journal reports. Agents in Nebraska, for example, recently collected $2,000 from a DJ who advertised a prominent gig on MySpace.

MySpace works best, agents say, because the majority of profiles are public. Google is also a valuable resource, because it provides easy access to company personnel rosters that can give a rough idea of income. Facebook may be the safest for evaders, because profiles by default are viewable only by “friends.” In Nebraska and California, agents aren’t allowed to friend individuals using sham profiles to collect information.

This is an undated screen grab showing the new MySpace music page.
This is an undated screen grab showing the new MySpace music page.   (AP Photo/MySpace)
The MySpace.com logo.
The MySpace.com logo.   (MySpace)
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These new supplements are often far more efficient than the older ones, such as reading the local newspaper or making inquiries at barbershops and church meetings.
- Jim Eads, director, Federation of Tax Administrators

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
schmidtkoff
Aug 28, 2009 5:22 AM CDT
another reason not to twit, or profile one's self and disclose every little thing about one's personal life. fly under the radar. uh, mozilla now has a start browsing private option.aside from that the irs. targets the those who perhaps owe taxes, yet due to circumstances cannot pay said taxes, while the like of pub. officials who 'forgot to file for their 'nanny' or forgot they didn't declare x-ammount of profits from a biz venture are excused. the privileged get off every time. and it is not a right or left argument.
odowd80
Aug 27, 2009 8:39 AM CDT
I think the tax-hating, anarchist, gun-toting tea-baggers are more likely to evade taxes.
easterner
Aug 27, 2009 8:38 AM CDT
MySpace works best, agents say, because the majority of profiles are public.........and who owns myspace ............Fox Interactive Media, which is owned by News Corporation.

 
social networking • Google • MySpace • IRS • Facebook • tax evasion • income • Internal Revenue Service • tax fraud • state governments • state budgets • social media

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