"I Was THIS CLOSE to Getting Away With it!!"

Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner is promising the Senate Finance Committee that he will justify their trust in him if he is confirmed, despite a messy tax payment screw-up. He was merely “careless” when he forgot to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes a few years back. But it’s all good now because he says he’s paid it aaaallll back!

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Two questions:

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#1) Did he pay just the $34k tax liability or did he pay applicable penalties and interest? If I made a $34,000 mistake with the IRS, I’d have to sell my house to cover the interest and penalties.

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#2) If Mr. Geithner is confirmed as Treasury Secretary (and thereby head boss man of the IRS), does his transgression mean that any American who also ‘carelessly’ shorts the IRS can quote Geithner during their defense? "These were careless mistakes. They were avoidable mistakes." If it works for him, it danged well better work for the rest of us.

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Maybe in April when I submit my 1040, I’ll add this statement under my signature: “In the event of any transgressions on this form that appear to be in my favor: Yes, these were careless mistakes. And, yes, they were avoidable mistakes. But Mr. Geithner's confirmation as your boss is thereby confirmation that my mistake is acceptable.”