CNN recently ran an illuminating article about Indiana Congressman Todd Young.
In 2012, Young, a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, claimed a house in Bloomington was his primary residence and deducted more than $200,000 from his property taxes – saving himself almost $5,000. Turns out, Young was renting the property, not living in it, according to documents obtained by CNN.
Young apologized for what he insisted was a “mistake”–although knowing whether you rent a property ought not be too complicated for a Congressman who sits on a committee writing tax laws. The County Treasurer disputes the “mistake” excuse:
Monroe County Treasurer Catherine Smith said that when Young was in her office in 2012 (paying $4,000 for 2011’s back taxes), she gave him the opportunity to update his records and remove the homestead deduction from the property, but he didn’t.
“It’s homestead fraud. He knew the state law,” the Democratic treasurer said. “A man that makes (a salary) from tax money should be held accountable for his own taxes.”
Smith was already frustrated that the check Young used to pay the $4,000 in back taxes bounced.
Well, yes, I can see how that might be frustrating…
Can we please start electing people who aren’t a complete and total embarrassment?
But Sheila; where do we find people of the caliber you mentioned in the state of Indiana? Homestead exemptions are not mentioned in their Bible; I do believe honesty is referred to often but is overlooked as it isn’t part of their vocabulary. Good thing we don’t need no stinkin’ ethics because we sure don’t got any here.
How do these politicians sleep at night? The things that keep me awake are no where near as AWFUL as this crap. Good Grief.
I can think of an alternative candidate in that race………….
Ala Charlie White. Maybe the Indiana Republicans have become nothing more than criminals and shills for the Chamber of Commerce? That’s not to say that the Indiana Democrats are shining ethical examples either. Again, where is the public outcry? They have effectively eliminated competition through gerrymandering assuring that their indiscretions will always be pardoned. I don’t understand how either party can be be happy with how our political system has devolved, but I guess first they would have to care.
The lack of outrage is that the biggest paper, the Star, never, NEVER criticizes republicans.
Bill Bailey for Congress. Todd Young won’t you please come home?
I must be missing something here. The Homestead credit is a deduction applied to the tax assessed on homeowners. If Young didn’t own the home then he never got a tax bill on the property and the adjustment was meaningless. Right?
I think it means he owned the home although he didn’t live there, and rented it out to someone else. Hoosier property owners are allowed only one homestead tax credit, and that’s on their primary residence.
Thanks Rosemary, I didn’t read carefully enough. He must’ve rented his B’ton house while living in DC. Error on his part and he’ll have to make good, but I can see how easy it would be to miss it.
I can also think of a super alternative to Young! Bill Bailey for Congress! Run, Bill, Run! Right to Congress!