FROM THE ARCHIVE

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In The Hoop
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2002

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

Still Procrastinating?
In case you didn't remember, it's time to turn in your federal tax return! You've got until midnight tonight to get to the post office and pay tribute to Uncle Sam before he sends the state of Kansas after you and throws you in jail. Oh wait, that's the Winnebago Tribe.

But in case you do need some more time to file, the IRS is willing to help just a little bit. You can send in your request for an automatic extension until August 15 by filling out Form 4868 and sending it in today.

Be warned, though. If you owe money, you'll have to pay interest for the delay. And if you're due a refund, well, you won't get it until you file.

Where's My Treaty Credit?
If you live up in Canada, you just might be owed some dollars, thanks to a recent court decision.

For those who aren't so lucky, don't try to claim a credit for stolen land and broken treaties because the IRS doesn't fall for those kind of tricks. Or maybe they do, as reported by The Washington Post.

"The Internal Revenue Service, handling more than 100,000 tax returns seeking nonexistent slavery tax credits, paid out more than $30 million in erroneous refunds in 2000 and 2001."

"Many of the mistaken payments, including one to a former IRS employee, were for $43,209. That's the figure Essence magazine suggested in an article on the subject in 1993 as being the updated value of 40 acres and a mule, which some freed slaves were given under an order by a Union general during the Civil War."

"Claims for the 'reparation credit' totaled $2.7 billion in 2001 alone, an IRS spokesman said."

Where's My Cut?
It's so nice to see Indians helping Indians these days. Witness these warm words from Jim Oyler, Principal Chief of the United Tribe of Shawnee Indians of Shawnee Reserve Number 206 of De Soto, Kansas.

"Dear [Wyandotte Nation] Chief [Leaford] Bearskin:

"My good friend, I hereby offer my Indian Country land for your tribes [sic] use for development of a Casino, (5,000 slots machines) 500 room motel/hotel with parking for 1000 cars."

"My offer is based on the opposition your tribe is receiving from the City of Kansas City, Kansas, Governor Graves and other so called Indian tribes of North East Kansas."

"My Indian Country land is acknowledged by the federal government as Restricted Indian Country allotment land, within the Shawnee Reservation, established by the 1825, 1831 and 1854 United States Treaties with the Shawnee."

[legal analysis excised]

"A copy of this 'Open letter' will be sent to the 'Press.'"

"We stand ready to help you and your tribe in any way we can."

"Your friend."

Who said generosity was gone in Indian Country?

In Your Hoop
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