WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent this afternoon to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) criticized an IRS proposal to tax the personal phone calls of employees when they are made using a business cell phone, calling such a practice anti-family.  Skelton's letter is set forth below:

_________________________

June 12, 2009

Commissioner Douglas Shulman
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20224

Dear Commissioner Shulman:

          It has come to my attention that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering options for taxing employees for the personal calls they make using cell phones provided by their employers.  This is both unworkable and unwise.  Frankly, to tax employees for making personal phone calls would be anti-family.  For instance, a stay-at-home spouse could very well question the working spouse as to why he or she did not make a call to say he or she would be late for dinner.  The answer, of course, would be because he or she did not want to get taxed for the phone call.  Further, such a move would burden employers and employees with additional time consuming and potentially costly paperwork, requiring the tracking of each and every call made using a business cell phone.  This is simply not practical.

          We must be mindful of the affect such a tax would have on everyday Americans.  Hardworking Missourians should not be forced to consider the tax implications of using their business cell phone to check in with their families. 

          It is important to remember that as policy makers we are entrusted to serve the American people.  The pursuit of such a burdensome tax collection scheme is not in line with that solemn obligation.  I am eager to receive your thoughts on this matter. 

          With best regards, I remain
  
                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                       IKE SKELTON
                                                       Member of Congress

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee . For further information, please contact Rebecca Loving or Whitney Frost at 202-225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton’s website at http://www.house.gov/skelton.