That is an understatement. The idea of government getting the benefit of the doubt in these sorts of disputes is predicated on a general fairness of process (with exceptions to fairness being rate). Where this sort of thing is open and notorious (to borrow a phrase), all of that should go out the window. If the taxing authority is being used to stick it to unconnected people, the remedy shouldn’t be to simply make it close to right after years of appeals etc.

And this sort of thing legitimizes tax cheating etc. as well. If the government is going to act this way, then all we are talking about is power. And once we are in that realm, then two wrongs do make a right.

And taken to extremes, this sort of thing promotes anarchy. We all have an interest in stability and order. But government’s monopoly on force is predicated on it generally respecting the rights of the people.