Letters: IRS staff needed to detect, stop tax fraud; COVID boosters a blessing

Candidates should not bash IRS

An ad supporting J.D. Vance states that giving more money to the IRS will have them "digging deeper into middle-class pockets." This is a bald-faced lie. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that people making less than $400,000 will not see any increase in audits. Many of the new agents will have special training to detect and stop high-income intricate fraud. Eventually, this elite group of agents will bring in more money to the treasury, lowering the taxes for the rest of us.

Over 90% of filers take the standard deduction. For those who do and receive a W-2 or 1099 your chances of an audit are practically nil. The hiring of 87,000 workers will occur over 10 years and during this time there are 50,000 expected retirements. Additional money has been allotted to upgrade the antiquated computers and hire additional office staff which should speed up refunds. For as long as I can remember, the Democrats have tried to budget more money for the IRS and up until now it has been halted by the Republicans' votes. I wonder why?

Sally Taylor, Akron

A believer in COVID vaccines, boosters

I've always hated getting shots of any kind. However, the health official's statement that the new COVID booster is "definitely going to protect you from being hospitalized and dying" certainly takes precedence over my hating shots ("COVID booster drop feared," Sept. 21). Thank goodness for them. My husband is 87 and I am 80, and we have been first in line so far for all shots offered and will be first in line the next time one is offered as well. We believe they have kept us from being sick in any way during this past 2½ years, let alone hospitalized, and we are praying that our being conscientious about getting the boosters will continue to do so.

Dianne Demko, Akron

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: JD Vance supporters mischaracterize IRS funding plans