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by Dave Soulia, for FYIVT.com
In recent years, Vermont has grappled with an increase in theft and other crimes, compounded by criminal justice reforms that some argue prioritize the rights of offenders over those of victims. The state’s no-bail policies and a perceived “revolving door” justice system have left many residents and businesses feeling unprotected. Beyond the personal pain and financial hardship crime causes, there’s a broader economic toll: individuals, businesses, and even the state suffer under the weight of persistent crime. Addressing this imbalance requires rethinking policies—notably, allowing tax deductions for crime-related losses.
The Economic Toll of Crime on Victims
For individuals, crime is more than a violation of personal property—it’s a financial burden that can have lasting effects. Theft often results in unreimbursed losses, especially for items not covered by insurance or for those unable to afford adequate coverage. While federal tax law once allowed deductions for theft losses, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 eliminated this relief for most thefts, leaving victims to absorb the full cost unless their losses occurred in a federally declared disaster area.
For businesses, the stakes are even higher. Repeat theft, vandalism, and fraud lead to increased operational costs, such as higher insurance premiums, investments in security measures, and the direct cost of replacing stolen goods. Small businesses, often operating on thin margins, are particularly vulnerable. Persistent crime can force closures, layoffs, or relocation, further weakening local economies.
These losses ripple outward, affecting the broader economy. Businesses unable to recover from theft contribute less in taxes and may shutter, leaving employees out of work and communities without essential services. Victims of crime, meanwhile, have less disposable income to spend or reinvest locally, further compounding economic stagnation.
The State’s Responsibility
The social contract between taxpayers and the government is clear: individuals and businesses contribute taxes in exchange for essential services, including safety and security. When the state fails to uphold its end of the bargain—whether through insufficient law enforcement, ineffective judicial systems, or policies that enable recidivism—taxpayers understandably feel cheated.
Vermont’s current justice system, which critics describe as overly lenient on repeat offenders, exacerbates this problem. Policies that prioritize reducing incarceration and limiting pretrial detention have, in some cases, emboldened criminals. The result is a growing sense of insecurity among residents and businesses, who bear the brunt of the state’s inability to deter crime.
A Case for Tax Deductions for Crime Losses
One way to address this imbalance is by allowing victims of crime to deduct their unreimbursed losses on state income taxes. While this wouldn’t eliminate the personal and emotional toll of crime, it would provide a measure of financial relief, acknowledging the state’s failure to adequately prevent these losses.
Why This Makes Sense:
- Fairness for Victims: When the state fails to prevent or adequately address crime, victims shouldn’t be left to shoulder the entire burden. A tax deduction would offer some compensation, ensuring that victims aren’t punished twice—once by the criminal and again by the system.
- State Accountability: Sharing the financial burden of crime through tax deductions would create an incentive for Vermont to invest more in crime prevention, law enforcement, and programs to reduce recidivism. Reduced tax revenue tied to these deductions could serve as a tangible reminder of the cost of inadequate public safety measures.
- Economic Benefits: By alleviating some of the financial pressure on victims, this policy could stimulate local economies. Businesses and individuals would have more resources to recover, reinvest, and rebuild after losses.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Critics might argue that such a policy could be open to abuse, with taxpayers exaggerating or falsifying claims. To mitigate this risk, deductions could require thorough documentation, such as police reports and proof of loss. Caps or limits on deductions could also prevent excessive claims while still offering meaningful relief.
Another concern is the potential short-term reduction in state tax revenue. However, this impact could be offset by long-term gains from a healthier economy and reduced crime rates, as the state invests in more effective crime prevention strategies.
The Broader Debate: Rights of Victims vs. Offenders
Much of the frustration with Vermont’s justice system stems from a perceived overemphasis on the rights of the accused, often at the expense of victims. While ensuring fairness for defendants is vital, this focus should not overshadow the rights of those harmed by crime. Victims deserve justice, restitution, and support—not just from offenders but from the state tasked with protecting them.
Policies that ignore the plight of victims, such as limiting pretrial detention or downplaying repeat offenses, risk eroding public trust in the justice system. By contrast, policies like tax deductions for crime losses would signal a commitment to balancing fairness with accountability.
Moving Forward
Vermont’s economy cannot thrive under the weight of persistent crime. Individuals and businesses need to know that the state values their safety and will support them in recovering from harm. Allowing tax deductions for criminal losses would be a step in the right direction, providing immediate relief to victims while encouraging the state to take a more active role in reducing crime and recidivism.
The message is clear: when crime hurts, everyone pays. It’s time for Vermont to share the burden and prioritize the safety and well-being of its residents.
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Categories: Commentary, Public Safety
While there may be merit in this tax deductible approach, most people carry some sort of insurance against such losses. While there may be a deductible involved, there is is still coverage to reimburse for most losses.
I don’t think you can get insurance for stores that get raided everyday and to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. You close or move, just ask llbean, church street was to ride with crime so they moved.
I believe they do get a tax right off already, it is considered a loss, and you make some assumptions that Montpelier is mostly concerned about money, and there is some truth to that, but it’s not the big picture.
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Restorative justice, who is getting restored with this? Who benefits?
Is the criminal getting restored?
Is the business getting restored?
Is the community getting restored?
Who benefits from this? And what is the benefit?
Why would someone take this plan?
What is the goal?
Are they reaching ther goals with this?
Yes they most certainly are!!!!!!!!!!
Allowing a tax deduction for loss due to criminal activity is a cop out by the state, normalizing what should be a non-existent problem and incorporating it as a part of our economic system. That sends a bad message, just like ignoring rampant welfare fraud and allowing camping in public parks has become normal and expected. Unfortunately, this mindset is promoted by leftist public officials who have adopted the idea that incarceration or any serious enforcement of existing laws is an obsolete concept. Watch some old TV shows about law enforcement and see significant sentences rendered for even a first offense of home burglary or car theft. Criminal suspects who flee on foot were given an order to halt or be shot and those who flee in vehicles were actually pursued. This gives you an idea of how “progressive” we have become and the crime rate by no coincidence has risen proportionately. The very foundation of a civilized society is having a credible system of sanctions against those who victimize others. Socialist victim-worship and animosity toward those who produce and achieve has turned that concept on it’s head.
Dave, from your article it’s easy to discern that you personally care, and have empathy, you would do a good job, what you job is supposed to be done as a representative. You would use logic, you would reach your goals and do an excellent job.
You have had the good fortune to not have dealt with the path people (sociopath, psychopath) and someone high on the narcissistic scale, which is classically known in the bible as a fool or pride filled person. Consider yourself blessed, most people are in your category.
These are the people you are dealing with in Montpelier leadership, high up for sure; these people are overrepresented in the C-Suite, Politics, Law and Sales, there is a spectrum of this, criminals are assuredly high on this also, and truth be told we all have a little bit in us.
It’s so very interesting, they can lie in court and be completely convinced of their righteousness, because they are full of pride, “I’m right and you’re wrong”. There is no intellectual self-reflection, it’s about their goals, planet earth revolves around them! We see this on national TV nightly from Washington!
From your prospective what you say makes sense, however, I disagree with your solution Dave, why? because they have an easy solution for the loss of business tax income,
Raise taxes in another area!!
Raise Fees!
They do it every year, no they won’t change, they will not unless forced.
And there is more at foot than just being selfish and power hungry, sadly….
YOU SEE THEY ARE REACHING THEIR GOALS!!!!!!
THEY ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS!!
IT’S WHY THEY KEEP DOING IT!!!
YOUR GOALS AND THEIR GOALS ARE RADICALLY DIFFERENT.
BERNIE WHEN ASKED IS HE WILL RUN AGAIN, IS RECENTLY QUOTED AS SAYING “I’LL BE CONTENT WITH WATCHING THE REVOLUTION FROM MY PORCH”
HE IS SUPPORTING MAMDANI IN NYC!
IT’S NOT EVEN VERMONT!!!
WHY?????
WATCH WHAT THEY DO, NOT WHAT THEY SAY.
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
How many fake or staged robberies would this create? Fake the robbery, get the tax break then put all the “stolen” stuff back on the shelves.
Why do I keep posting this video?
Because if you watch it, the entire thing, you quickly discover that EVERYTHING this man stated, back in 1980’s is coming EXACTLY TRUE.
Is he a prophet? NO.
He speaks about what he was trained to do for a living.
These are the exact tactics and plan he used.
It’s called subversion.
Vermont has been subverted.
Their plan is working perfectly.
They will continue their plan.
People are making the assumption that Montpelier is something that it isn’t.
Most might assume it’s a democracy, which would surely upset anyone how loves America, but it’s accepted, a term that is purposely being replaced over the years to replace what we were and are intended to be….A REPUBLIC!!!
Vermonters do not recognize that Vermont has become a Marxist state.
This is the true goal, a colony of the United Nations.
Surely you notice they are following the dictates perfectly!!!
See it’s their goal.
Out of state people can see more clearly what is going on in Vermont.
Communists move in to be with comrades.
Republic loving folks move out
They plant the flag of victory, we are a colony of the united nations.
We are truly a state where:
“You will own nothing and be happy”
See it fits the plan! Success! Government gets bigger, success!!!!
They should be showing this video in school vs. how to play with yourself and the lifestyles of the furry culture, but then…..it’s the plan, see….everything fits perfectly.
The change and amount of coordination is so massive it is very, very tough to take it all in, but make no mistake it is happening! Do you think it was organic that every library across the nation had drag queen story hour on the same month?????
We need to pull back the curtain, like they did in the Wizard of Oz!
This above video, by the way, is Bernie’s plan. This is revolution he hopes to watch from his retired porch.
Lord Jesus, I ask you to demonstrate your power and might, may you make the book of Esther, live, real time for all to see and witness. I ask in your name, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of all, creator, ruler of all the heavens and earth! Amen.
Business can already take losses for ‘shrinkage’, the technical term for theft plus robberies off the Federal taxes, but the amount depends on how much cash flow and or profit they had; State taxes are generally a percentage of what’s reported on their Federal 1040 Schedule C, but additional State deductions are permitted for some things and increasing what they are will just shift the tax burden onto everyone else
It does seem, after looking at police blogs in Vermont, that domestic assaults are on the rise since 2020. Also, much more DUI arrests in adults from age 35 to 45.
Oh, and it IS already costing them. And the reckless disregard and even contempt this state holds for law enforcement and the judicial system that in turn causes direct threats to the safety of residents and tourists and employees alike is merely going to continue to increase.
I spread the word online and in person as strongly and as often as I can, and I recommend others do the same. You’re welcome, governor. Anytime, legislators.
Want a reasonably priced house right now? Try once “exclusive” Manchester, VT wherein residents & 2nd homeowners are clamoring to get the heck out with over 60 homes for sale at nearly any given time & prices steadily declining as the radicalized selectboard and the equally radicalized state legislators there remain prepped & nearly ready to usher in THOUSANDS of “new residents” by building high density & Obama/Biden era “equity” housing for low-income “newcomers” who “deserve to live wherever they like”.
Drug crimes are, in turn, have been soaring as well for a few years now.
Who would have guessed???
EVERYONE. Except democrat-socialists.
Restorative Justice.
Restorative Justice is a subversive tactic to crush private companies.
Restorative Justice is a subversive tactic to crush mom and pop business.
Restorative Justice is used to consolidate power and control of commerce.
Think, who benefits, anyone not a brick-and-mortar store.
Amazon benefits from this!
The government, from a Marxist, fascist standpoint benefits, more control.
Cuba and other nations due this regularly.
If you control the flow of water, via bad pipes and only on for a few hours a day.
If you control the electrical grid, because it’s overtaxed to a few hours a day.
If you control the food production….you really get their attention.
You control the people.
Restorative Justice is working exactly as planned. It is restoring the Marxist concept of Justice, they are the only winners, everyone else is a loser.
Make no mistake, restorative justice is working EXACTLY AS PLANNED!
Thankfully the Devil is a massive loser, so his results will not change. 🙂
He will lose.
Yes.
This is all purposeful.
And they’ve chosen one of the sweetest most beautiful states to destroy.
Housing. Public Safety. Health Care. Personal Freedoms.
Destroyed. Destroyed. Destroyed. Destroyed.
And people are leaving by the droves already, but they either don’t see it or won’t admit it, as they count the state population to include their illegal aliens, migrants, homeless out-of-staters on social services, out-of-state drug dealers, etc. & neglect to see the exodus of their so despised middle-income tax-paying citizens & 2nd homeowners who support(ed) this state fiscally.
Oh, they’ll just rely on tourists to foot the bill for their socialist causes? They’ll be running scared too. It’s but a matter of time. It’s interesting, most tourists don’t like getting assaulted, shaken down for cash, or get caught up in a shoot-out. Go figure, right?