replytoBurt

Newland note: This letter was returned to me unopened. Someone had written on the envelope, "THIS PERSON DOES NOT WORK AT THE IRS", with an arrow pointing to Burt's name. Someone had signed the previous letter from the IRS -- at this address -- "Burt Johnson".
Go to image file of returned envelope.

Robert J. Newland
HC 89 Box 184-A
Hermosa SD 57744
605-255-4032


October 27, 1997

Burt Johnson
Group Manager
Internal Revenue Service
316 N Robert St
St Paul MN 55101

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Thank you for your prompt answer to my letter of October 10, which I sent to the Rapid City, SD, IRS office. I appreciate your concern. I regret, though, that you seem to have me confused with an "illegal tax protester". I am simply, as my original letter (personalized copy to you enclosed) plainly states, attempting to determine what the law says so that I might follow it. With that issue cleared up, perhaps you will be more forthcoming in your answers to my questions.

I took the time to read over the items outlined in the educational material you sent, as you suggested. Unfortunately, only one paragraph -- of 30 paragraphs on the sheet -- refers in any manner to any issue raised in any of my questions. That paragraph states, "Section 6012 of the Internal Revenue Code makes clear -- in great detail -- that the only people who are not required to file tax returns are those whose income falls below certain levels."

The first two questions in my first letter concern themselves with the definition of the word "income". In law, as I'm sure you're aware, definitions of words are of extreme importance. Various Supreme Court decisions take great pains to define the word "income". Yet, I find no definition of the word "income" in a code devoted to insuring voluntary compliance with an "income" tax. I'm sure you now understand my concern with that particular word.

Without the definition of the word "income", I cannot make head nor tail of Section 6012. Would you be so kind as to point out where in the code "income" is defined?

I surely hope that, since you now know that I am not subscribing to any "illegal tax protest scheme", you will reconsider your final statement and will reply to this letter and answer the six questions posed in my first letter, a copy of which I have enclosed, personalized to your attention.

Numerous IRS publications state that IRS personnel are anxious to clear up any misconceptions people have, and to assist in any questions people might pose about the "income" tax laws. I'm sure that you take your position seriously, and are no less anxious to help than those publications suggest.


Very truly yours,

Robert J. Newland

This letter was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, through the U.S. Postal Service on October 27, 1997.

cc: U.S. Senator Tom Daschle
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson
U.S. Representative John Thune