Congressman’s Bill Would Penalize Countries That Dodge Taxes
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Congress should cut foreign aid to countries that refuse to pony up for property taxes and parking fines that their diplomats accrue when in America, according to Rep. Vito Fossella, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Mr. Fossella is introducing legislation that would take 110% of the money owed by offending nations out of their annual foreign-assistance package. The move comes after a federal judge ordered India, the Philippines, and Mongolia, to pay $57 million in back taxes that they owed on property in New York City.
“Our laws apply equally to all people, regardless of whether the individual is a diplomat, a schoolteacher, or a construction worker,” Mr. Fossella said yesterday in a statement. “As guests of the United States, foreign nations should show New York City the respect it deserves by following our laws and accepting full responsibility if they fail to do so.”
