The Secret Tax Form

It has become too difficult for a poor man to run for President and too easy for moneyed citizens to buy influence among the presidential candidates whom they support. In December 1971 Congress passed a simple rider to the Revenue Act that, while not solving all the problems, could at least provide candidates with the funds to launch a campaign without pressure from private backers. Under the bill, each taxpayer can now direct the Government to send $1 of his taxes to a presidential campaign fund--at no cost to himself--by making a simple check mark on his tax forms, indicating whether the money should go to the Republicans, Democrats, Independents or to a general fund.

Since it clearly works to the advantage of the impoverished Democratic Party, the measure has met with considerable skepticism from the White House. And the Internal Revenue Service has been hardly cooperative. The check-off was not put on the regular 1040 form, but on a separate form, 4875, that is a nuisance to obtain. There has been little promotion, and less advertising. As a result, only 3.3% of the first 24.3 million taxpayers filing returns this year have made use of the provision. Yet a poll conducted for the Twentieth Century Fund showed that 53% of those questioned favored the checkoff once it was explained. Conclusion: the IRS should try the check-off once more--this time with feeling.

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