Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Hudson Seeks To Protect Alaska's

Fisherman From IRS Permit Seizures

For Immediate Release: March 12, 1997 Contact: Rep. Bill Hudson (907) 465-3744

JUNEAU - Seeking to protect Alaska's fishermen from permit seizures by the federal government is the intent of legislation passed by the House of Representatives Wednesday by a vote of 36-2.

"The Internal Revenue Service has been engaging in the outrageous seizure and sales of Alaska commercial fishing entry permits to collect past due taxes," said Representative Hudson.

"I sincerely believe all taxpayers must act in good faith to meet their federal tax obligations, but it is not necessary or prudent to take away a fishermen's basic right to work in order to collect federal taxes," said Hudson.

Hudson said HJR 23 requests the Alaska congressional delegation to use any means available to them to assure that the IRS will collect past due taxes from income generated by the sale of fish and the voluntary sale of entry permits, to ensure that the IRS complies with federal law to avoid inflicting economic hardship on a taxpayer, and to protect fishing privileges and the right to work of Alaska fishermen.

Hudson said the IRS recently sold an entry permit with only two days notice to the State of Alaska. During this sale they sold the permit which was valued at $30,000 for only $5,005. Hudson added that the IRS has threatened to seize seven entry permits in the Dillingham area.

"Commercial fishermen who lose their entry permits are deprived of their ability to make a living. Additionally, fishermen are deprived of their means to earn money to repay their debts to the IRS," said Hudson.

"It is certainly in the best interest of the federal government to recoup back taxes through the income earned by entry permit holders rather than to recover an insignificant amount through the sale of Alaska commercial fishing entry permits at 10 cents on the dollar," said Hudson.

Hudson said Alaskan limited entry permits are use privileges; only the state reserves the right to cancel or modify such privileges without compensation.

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