Its disturbing that we have to worry about how to buy, sell, and spend our own money while worrying about what the government might decide to do about it. Audit? Raid by DEA or FBI? Tax us on selling an old item we have had for years that is not part of a for profit business transaction?
example: If I have a new car that I bought for $25K, and sold it after it gets old and depreciates for $1K, do I get to take it off my taxes? NO
But if I have an old car that I bought for $1K, and in 30 years it appreciates to being worth $25K, do I have to pay taxes on the increase in value?
(And I am not a dealer or in business, I just happen to have an old car that I owned a long time.)
So, if I do not declare it to IRS, am I guilty of a crime?
Or if I am carrying $25K to either go buy a car, or coming home after selling a car, can the cops seize my money for carrying a large amount of cash?
Anyway, I find it sad and disturbing to have to even think about it.