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its tax exemptions for federally, state and locally funded social benefits for tribe members so that only those with significant financial need do not have to pay taxes on the benefits, tribal leaders said.
• The agency has been meeting with tribes to develop and clarify rules on what is taxable under the General Welfare Doctrine, which governs whether the assistance tribal members receive should be counted as income and be taxed. But as the meetings have gone on, tribes are getting notices that they are being audited, Steele said.
• Steele said the tribal assistance helps members raise their living standard and in

some cases survive. He accused the IRS of launching a fishing expedition, saying his tribe has been asked to provide documentation on payments to employees, council and tribal members; petty cash and bank records; health care benefits to tribal members and employees, and Pow Wow prizes, among other things.
• "The IRS violates our treaties when it seeks to tax the basic govern

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