In talking with some of my new clients and other attorneys the gas prices are having a pretty deep impact on businesses and families everywhere.  Specifically, with regard to my practice area – helping people and businesses resolve their IRS problems – people are not able to pay their estimated taxes; businesses are not able to pay their employment taxes, etc. because the cash flow is eaten up by the rising price at the pump. 

One thing that the IRS has not accounted for is the high gas prices.  Recently, the national collection standards were changed; however, the transportation standard is well below what most people have to spend on gas and maintenance of their vehicle each month.  For example, the standard in Greenville County, South Carolina (the South Region) is about $181 per month.  It costs me nearly $70 a week to fill up my tank just to get to work. 

I think the IRS still has some work to do to make their collection standards more fair with the cost of life in America today.