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Truth, Lies, Mistakes. Can We Agree on the Basics?

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Education & Training with Strong & Hanni

Salt Lake City, Utah – I am deviating from my innocent spouse blogs today because of a meeting that I had with a client.  As an attorney it is interesting to hear an individual’s story and then to ponder on what was true, what was a lie and did the client just make a mistake.  One thing I have found in the practice of law is that we all, and I am including myself in this category, see life circumstances in ways that are most favorable to our individual situation.  In looking at truth, I have found that some truths are obviously true, other truths need proof, some truths are self-evident, and some truths are solely supported by government data.  For example, one truth that we hear all the time and that we have grown up with is “wealth in America comes from hard work.” Here are two quotes from the inaugural addresses of two past presidents:

“[A] little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else …”  Barack Obama, inaugural address, 2013.

 

“We must create a level playing field for American… workers.”  Donald Trump, inaugural address, 2017.

To me it sounds like both Barack Obama and Donald Trump agree that hard work creates success. Some polls tell us that 70% of Americans agree. Hard work, skills, and intelligence are rewarded. Less than 20% of Americans believe that coming from a wealthy family is essential to getting ahead.  

Obama and Trump don’t agree on anything. But they share a faith in American meritocracy. Grit, hard work, and taking advantage of opportunities, these are the building blocks available to all. Think about it:

Americans acquire lifesavings over a lifetime of earning, saving, and investing

As time goes by… wealth by age grows steadily. It is not magic. It is not economic theory. It is not luck. Americans who work, save and invest, do well.

The federal government has taxed each generation along the way and if you stumble with the IRS, your earnings, savings and investment accounts can disappear like a snowflake on a hot griddle.

This is why I help taxpayers who have tax trouble, who have IRS Debt, who have an IRS lien, who are being levied by the IRS, who have a tax controversy with the IRS or the State Tax Commission.  Most of my clients are hard working individuals.  Most clients who retain my services have stumbled along the way in handling their tax obligations.  Maybe it is a large customer who has not paid or went bankrupt, maybe it’s the federal government not paying its contract obligations (I have an interesting story here), maybe it’s COVID, maybe it’s supply chain issues, maybe it’s their health, divorce, etc.  Life happens and sometimes client are unable to pay his/her/its tax obligations. I find it satisfying to help clients end the sleepless nights, stop the family stress, and resolve back taxes for less.

Remember, tax problems are legal problems, and we solve both.  If you or someone you know has an issue with paying their federal taxes and needs help to end their IRS nightmare, please contact us by either phone at (801) 323-2112 or email at: kbrown@strongandhanni.com or go to my personal webpage at: https://strongandhanni.com/attorneys/attorney-kent-brown/ 

Comments(3)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kent - I still believe, perhaps naively, that we can find similarities when we think there are only distinct differences.  It isn't easy.  However, it is necessary.  And there's no reason why it needs to be found at the highest levels when we make a difference with our own family, friends and the person behind us in a supermarket line.   

Feb 16, 2023 04:27 PM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty (Salina Group) | Broker
Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Excellent information. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day and a blessed week.

Feb 16, 2023 06:26 PM
Kent Brown
Strong & Hanni - Salt Lake City, UT
Your IRS Tax Attorney

Thank you so much Charles.  Have an excellent week and thanks for reading.

Feb 19, 2023 09:26 AM