John Yellowbird Steele, head of the Ogalala Sioux Tribe, declared that the IRS i s failing to honor tribal

sovereignty by attempting to tax government assisted e ntities like school clothing, housing, and burial funding that members receive f rom their tribes. Addressing a Senate panel Thursday, Steele referenced the treaties between the U .S. and his South Dakota tribe while admonishing the IRS for what appears to be a stepped-up effort to tax tribal aid. We fix homes and they would like us to place a number on how much the lumber cost to patch a hole in a roof or put shingling on a floor. They would like us to pu t a put a number on that and give the individual a 1099 tax form Steele claims. Th e next year, where are those individuals going to find the means to pay the IRS? Over time, the IRS has narrowed its tax exemptions for state, federal and locall y funded social welfare for tribe members so that only those with serious moneta ry need arent required to owe tax, the tribal leaders stated. The agency has been meeting with tribes to develop and be more specific on whats able to be taxed under the General Welfare Doctrine, which determines whether th e help tribal members receive should be counted as earnings and be taxed. But as the conferences have gone on, tribe members are still receiving audit notices f rom the IRS. The IRS violates our treaties when it attempts to tax the basic services that our tribes provide our citizens, Steele asserted in a written affidavit. The IRS and Native American tribes are working to clarify the issues as they pre sent themselves. Whether or not they will come to an amicable place is yet to be seen. If you are facing an IRS audit or other tax problems, contact JG Tax Group today . We aggressively fight the IRS to uphold taxpayer rights and can help you secur e your financial future.