There are many who argue that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes and are a burden to American taxpayers. Many also argue that America does not need immigrant labor. But the facts betray these assertions as lies. Let’s see how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) feels about the undocumented immigrants.
In 1996, the IRA created the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) specifically for one reason. The ITIN, like a social security number, is a number used for paying taxes to the IRS. The IRS issues the numbers to taxpayers who do not have a social security number but are required to pay taxes.
Most users of ITINs are undocumented immigrants, although a few legal immigrants use the numbers to pay taxes on interest bearing accounts they have in the country. But the majority of ITINs are used by immigrant workers who do not have the right to work in America.
Why?
Simply because immigrants, even the undocumented immigrants want to comply with the taxpayer laws of the country even though they do not have the right to work.
But here is the fact that opponents of immigrants want to ignore.
The IRS specifically blocks the federal government from getting a list of ITIN filers. The law “prohibits” the IRS from disclosing the taxpayer information for ITIN holders for immigration enforcement.
Why?
Because the IRS wants the taxes even if it comes from undocumented immigrants.
Here is the most important fact about ITIN holders. According to the IRS, ITIN holders – mostly undocumented immigrant workers – pay over $24 billion in annual payroll taxes. That is a billion with a “b”!
Clearly, America needs immigrant labor as evidenced by encouraging them to work and pay taxes by issuing ITINs that the government cannot use to deport immigrants. And, clearly, America benefits to the tune of billions of taxes each year from the immigrants that many want kicked out of the country.
But here is the evilness of a system that allows people to demonize undocumented immigrants while taking their money.
The stimulus checks that many of you are anxiously waiting for will not go to the undocumented immigrants even though they paid into the system like many readers.
Therein lies the duplicity of the immigration debate in America.
So, as you cash that stimulus check remember that part of that money came from hardworking undocumented immigrants that many of you want kicked out of the country.
