Subject: AMT has financially devastated me and ended my marriage. Making $50,000 I now owe the government $500,000!!!! Comment: Dear Chairman Mack & Vice-Chairman Breaux PLEASE HELP END THIS NIGHTMARE. Below is my submitted Testimony to the House Ways & Means Committee last Summer and to my Congressman, the Honorable Sander Levin. Christy Thaxton Testimony To House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight Washington, D.C. June 2004 AMT has financially devastated me and ended my marriage. Making $50,000 I now owe the government $500,000 - including $200,000 of interest and penalties. The IRS has requested that I liquidate my 401K and pay ALL BUT $300 per month of income for the next 11 years, asking for an extra 3 years past the statute of limitations for income taxes. The stress of this situation has wrecked my marriage and will make raising two children nearly impossible. How will $300 of income each month pay for daycare let alone a car to get to a job, food to feed my children, and a place to live? I don't owe anyone else, nor am I living a lavish lifestyle while trying to avoid paying taxes! I am an honest, hard working contributor to society. I've been on the board of a non-profit volunteering time and energy to make life better for others. How can it be that this PREPAYMENT on EXPECTED capital gains doesn't change if the EXPECTED capital gain is not achieved? The purpose of AMT - to make sure the rich pay their taxes - does not hold in a situation such as a stock plummeting 140 points in 6 months! An unintended consequence of the AMT, I am told, with no leniency possible. Aren't we a civilized nation that should be able to apply some logic and situational change to 'procedure'? Please understand that a realistic outcome of not fixing this situation is that a hard working American could end up being forced to quit her job. Would I have to go on welfare to support my children? How can that be? Somehow I just can't believe that this was the intended meaning of the 'American dream.' Christy Thaxton Southfield, MI |