Home Breadcrumb caret Tax Breadcrumb caret Tax News Former Defense Secretary rips tax code in letter to IRS If your U.S. clients are dazed and confused by the American tax code, they can probably relate to a letter former U.S. secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld sends the IRS every year. By Staff | April 16, 2014 | Last updated on September 15, 2023 1 min read If your U.S. clients are dazed and confused by the American tax code, they can probably relate to a letter former U.S. secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld sends the IRS every year. Rumsfeld posted the letter to his Twitter account, reports the U.K.’s Daily Mail. Read: Finance bites back at FATCA criticism “[I]t is important for you to know that I have absolutely no idea whether our tax returns and our tax payments are accurate. I say that despite the fact that I am a college graduate and I try hard to make sure our tax returns are accurate,” the letter says. “I do hope that at some point in my lifetime, and I am now in my 80s, so there are not many years left, the U.S. government will simplify the U.S. tax code so that those citizens who sincerely want to pay what they should, are able to do it right, and know that they have done it right.” Rumsfeld also bemoans having to spend more than he’d like to get an accounting firm to prepare his returns for him. Read more here. Also read: 7 ways to help clients save tax 17 reasons for tax reform Staff The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998. Save Stroke 1 Print Group 8 Share LI logo