Instead of letting Congress vote on one, the IRS went ahead and gave it to them:
The federal government quietly agreed to forgo billions of dollars in potential tax payments from Citigroup as part of the deal announced this week to wean the company from the massive taxpayer bailout that helped it survive the financial crisis.
The Internal Revenue Service on Friday issued an exception to long-standing tax rules for the benefit of Citigroup and a few other companies partially owned by the government. As a result, Citigroup will be allowed to retain billions of dollars worth of tax breaks that otherwise would decline in value when the government sells its stake to private investors.
I wonder if the IRS would be as generous to you or me? I know the answer to that as someone who has had to deal with them on back taxes.
This is total bullshit and will become another key issue in 2010. Americans are suffering and still can’t find work, yet the administration continues to pander to the people who caused this economic catastrophe. When will the regular citizens get the attention they so much deserve?
Adding… Considering the IRS answers to Treasury, which is lead by Timothy Geithner, how much more will the Obama administration support him? I think a great progressive issue to take up in Congress right now is getting rid of the incompetent jack-ass. President Obama likes to pressure Congress – now it’s Congress’ turn to pressure him. Fire Geithner or watch as we shut down the Congress. I’m sure that will quickly become a bi-partisan movement.