Joe Biden's administration has sparked ridicule after his IRS said that stolen property and any income from illegal activities must be reported on taxes. The IRS has confirmed that Americans who earned a profit from illegal activities, including drug dealing or bribes, must include it in their 2021 filings. The tax authorities said: "If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless you return it to its rightful owner in the same year."

       A Fox News host said: "The IRS has a friendly reminder to thieves. Income from illegal activities like selling drugs and stolen property must be reported on taxes."

       The Erie County Sheriff’s Office in New York State posted a tongue-in-cheek response to the reminder, with an offer to assist "all car thieves" reporting property they stole on their taxes.

       The deputies wrote on Facebook: "If you need an itemized list of property call us at 716.858.2903 & a Deputy or Detective will be happy to meet you with the list.

       "It would be our pleasure."

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       Erie County Sheriff John Garcia remarked: "We thought it was funny, a tongue-in-cheek post, but at the same time it's also a very serious issue.

       "We are seeing a surge in property crimes and violence across the nation.

       "We need to bring common sense back to our law enforcement."

       This comes as Joe Biden sees plummeting poll ratings on his handling of rising violence in the country.

       At least 12 major US cities have broken annual homicide records in 2021 and the murder rate rose by nearly 30 percent in 2020.

       Cities like New York City saw nearly all types of crimes, including shootings and murders, almost double since pre-pandemic.

       The surge in crime follows moves in cities like San Francisco, Minneapolis and Los Angeles to cut police budgets.

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       Only approximately a third of Americans (36 percent) approve of President Biden's handling of crime.

       Approval of Biden's handling of gun violence is at 32 percent.

       The growing public concern has led to a new low in President Biden's overall approval rating, measured by FiveThirtyEight at just 43 percent.

       In response to the crime wave, President Biden's Department of Justice is expected to hand more than $1.6 billion in grants to US towns and cities to combat the violence.