Stroger interview on tax lien still leaves questions

Cook County Board President Todd H. Stroger went on a media blitz Thursday to explain the IRS lien on his home.

After appearing on WVON-AM radio with Cliff Kelley, Stroger made a round of calls to reporters to explain what happened but said he wouldn't release his tax returns.

Stroger said he incurred a larger-than-normal tax liability for the 2007 tax year by withdrawing from a retirement plan.

"We made a withdrawal from our deferred comp(ensation) and that gave us a bigger hit," Stroger told Kelley.

The "deferred comp" is like a 401k plan, but for government workers, he explained later to the Daily Herald.

"It's a 457, if I remember correctly," said Stroger.

After filing and owing money, Stroger said he did not make payments because he planned to file an amended 2007 return because he knew he was entitled to more deductions but had to find the paperwork first.

After he filed a new return, he began making payments with the IRS, but it had placed the lien on his home in the interim.

Asked why he hadn't set up a payment plan earlier, Stroger replied, "Sometimes things slip through your fingers."

Although the lien filed by the IRS read "Area: Business/self-employed," Stroger told Kelley his family has no other outside income or job other than his job with the county and his wife's job at the Illinois secretary of state's office.

Stroger said he would not release tax forms and said other officials who do, like Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, are doing more than they're required.

"I think they're making a mistake. It's really none of your business," said Stroger.

He declined to get into specifics about why, at a household income of over $220,000, he was initially unable to pay his taxes on time.

"If (people) want to know what we spend our money on, then they need to move into the household and start doing some chores," said Stroger.

Stroger would not detail the repayment plan but said it will include interest and penalties as appropriate.