LETTERS / TAXES

David Lazarus’ assertion in his consumer column (“Here’s confirmation the tax code’s a mess,” Jan. 18) that omission of the self-employment tax is an example of how overly complicated our tax system has become is simply ridiculous.

Everyone with earned income must pay into the Social Security system. Those who work for wages have it withheld by their employers; those with their own business or independent contractors pay it through their income taxes. Simple.

It is true that the tax system is very complicated, and it will never be perceived as fair because what some segments of society find fair, others will find extremely unfair.

Martin B. Kavinoky, CPA

Woodland Hills

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Just because the tax system is a mess doesn’t mean that Timothy Geithner wasn’t cheating. First, he apparently received periodic notices from his employer that certain taxes were his responsibility. Second, when he was audited, he apparently only paid back taxes on the years in question and not on the other years that the IRS somehow forgot to check.

Then there are other taxes he “forgot” to pay. Did Geithner have a CPA prepare and sign his return? Was he the same guy who signed off on Bernie Madoff? Is Geithner the only person qualified to be secretary of the Treasury? If he can’t get his taxes right or hire a capable CPA, why is he qualified to run anything?

Larry Post

Beverly Hills