Celebrities, Money, Rank Stupidity, Tax Law, Wesley Snipes

White Men Can't Jump -- But They Can Nab You for Tax Evasion

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Wesley Snipes — remember him?
Okay, so you don’t (and we can’t fault you). But even if you’ve forgotten all about Mr. Snipes, the IRS hasn’t. From CNN:

Movie actor Wesley Snipes was indicted Tuesday on eight counts of tax fraud accusing him of trying to cheat the government of $12 million in false refund claims.

Snipes, 44, also failed to file tax returns for six years, according to an indictment unsealed in Tampa, Florida.

Federal prosecutors said that Snipes fraudulently claimed refunds totaling nearly $12 million in 1996 and 1997 on income taxes already paid.

The indictment also charged him with failure to file returns between 1999 and 2004.

Our reaction to this news is the same as it was to the tax case brought against “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch: How could you be so stupid?
The incomes of these men are a matter of public record: in Hatch’s case, because he won $1 million on a nationally-televised reality show, and in Snipes’s case, because it’s published in Variety each time he makes a new movie.
And the IRS is like a big talent agency: they always get their cut.
(Actually, that may be a poorly chosen reference for Snipes. This past August, he was sued for $1.5 million by United Talent Agency, “for his alleged failure to pay the agreed percentage for four film roles it helped him win.”)
Update: If you’d like to learn how much Snipes has earned for some really crappy movies, TaxProf Blog has the 411. Click here, then scroll down.
Indictment: Wesley Snipes a $12M tax cheat [CNN]
Maybe We Should All Quit Worrying About The $12 Million In False Refund Claims And Start Worrying About Blade II And That Guest Appearance On ‘Bernie Mac’ [DealBreaker]
Wesley Snipes bio [IMDb]
Wesley Snipes [celebritywonder.com]

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