Paying income tax in America is Voluntary...

[Auburn85 436]

[TitanTiger 21,147]

And you'll be volunteering from a jail cell.

[Ranger12 53]

A few years ago I worked with a guy who had caught wind of some program told him we did not really have to pay taxes. They also showed how to get a new social security number to get a new credit rating and all that. I told him that he was a fool to believe something like that and he kept trying to tell me I was just not willing to be "educated" about it because I was letting the government fool me into having to pay them.

Last I heard IRS had nailed him for income tax evasion and fraud, lost his security clearance, and can't get a decent paying job.

[DKW 86 7,882]

And you'll be volunteering from a jail cell.

Not so fast weed hopper.... only those who arent celebrities have to go to jail...or have to pay taxes.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/DOJ/story...7728&page=1

Prosecutors Want Prison, Fines for Snipes

Jury Convicted the 'Blade' Actor in Feb. of Failing to File Tax Returns

By JASON RYAN and THERESA COOK

April 15, 2008

Federal prosecutors today filed documents arguing that actor Wesley Snipes, convicted earlier this year on charges that he failed to file several years' worth of income tax returns, should head to prison and pay at least $5 million in fines.

In a sentencing memorandum filed at a federal court in Florida -- on the April 15 tax return filing deadline -- the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to sentence the "Blade" actor to three years in prison and pay $5 million in fines.

"The sentence for the criminal tax scofflaw must be commensurate with the gravity of the offense, and should act as a deterrent to other potential violators," federal prosecutors wrote.

In February, a federal jury convicted Snipes on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file a tax return. Jurors acquitted Snipes of felony tax fraud and conspiracy charges that carry more significant punishment upon conviction.

Three Misdemeanor Convictions

Prosecutors on the case claimed that Snipes did not file his tax returns from 1999 through 2004 , and jurors concluded that he failed to file for 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Snipes withheld tax returns based on his belief that the Internal Revenue Service is not a properly established government agency. According to the memo filed today, Snipes also contended that he did not file business returns because he "was personally not subject to taxation because he was a 'stateless person' or 'nonresident alien,'" or a "'nontaxpayer,'" which prosecutors flatly rejected.

In the sentencing memorandum, prosecutors cited Snipes' "frivolous correspondence" with the IRS in regards to his tax returns and his alleged manner of hiding assets.

The memo states, "It was Snipes' policy to send checks received at his business office for deposit offshore."

The court document added that the "amount of unreported gross income proved at trial" amounted to more than $13 million during the three-year period.

Additionally, prosecutors said, Snipes shelled out money to family members, close friends and other organizations, including "some $498,000 in personal payments to Snipes' grandmother, his former wife, his then-fiancee, his personal lawyer, a tax defier organization, and M & S Finance, the Swiss alter-ego to which he fraudulently conveyed his business holdings in 1999."

Jury Acquits Wesley Snipes of Tax FraudIs 'Blade' Star Victim of Anti-Tax Cult?Yes, You CAN Get a Tax Extension"In sum, Snipes' willful [sic] refusal to file income tax returns is far from a 'garden variety' tax offense," the prosecutors wrote. "Snipes' nearly decade-long campaign against the IRS has combined brazen tax-defier tactics with sophisticated concealment of income and assets."

ABC News contacted Snipes attorney Daniel Meachum by phone and e-mail for comment on the sentencing recommendation. "Thank you for your interest but we will not be issuing a statement at this time," he replied via e-mail.

Two co-defendants in the case were found guilty of conspiracy in addition to filing false claims for tax refunds. Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile could each face a maximum of 10 years in prison when they are sentenced.

Snipes, Kahn and Rosile are all scheduled for sentencing April 24.

[AURaptor 1,137]

I heard the audio for this interview a week or so ago. I could NOT believe my ears. The Dem leader of the Senate has no clue how this country or its taxes work.

" In some country's the Government forcefully takes the taxes " - THAT'S CALLED WITHHOLDING

That's scary.

[TitanTiger 21,147]

And you'll be volunteering from a jail cell.

Not so fast weed hopper.... only those who arent celebrities have to go to jail...or have to pay taxes.

Didn't they convict him?

Federal prosecutors today filed documents arguing that actor Wesley Snipes, convicted earlier this year on charges that he failed to file several years' worth of income tax returns, should head to prison and pay at least $5 million in fines.

In a sentencing memorandum filed at a federal court in Florida -- on the April 15 tax return filing deadline -- the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to sentence the "Blade" actor to three years in prison and pay $5 million in fines.

[DKW 86 7,882]

And you'll be volunteering from a jail cell.

Not so fast weed hopper.... only those who arent celebrities have to go to jail...or have to pay taxes.

Didn't they convict him?

Federal prosecutors today filed documents arguing that actor Wesley Snipes, convicted earlier this year on charges that he failed to file several years' worth of income tax returns, should head to prison and pay at least $5 million in fines.

In a sentencing memorandum filed at a federal court in Florida -- on the April 15 tax return filing deadline -- the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to sentence the "Blade" actor to three years in prison and pay $5 million in fines.

He wasnt convicted on tax fraud. He was only convicted on three misdemeanor counts. Bet he serves no time and never pays the fines either. Did you read his defense? He is a "non-resident?" Caims he isnt a US citizen I guess. He has worked tirelessly to avoid paying taxes he owes. I dont know whether to throw a rock or hug the man. Everytime the taxman confiscates my money I am pissed, then again, I do still pay. Snipes hasnt paid taxes since 99 apparently. If he has, he still owes back taxes for at least 3 years.

[DKW 86 7,882]

I stand corrected.

http://www.wesh.com/news/15979487/detail.html

Snipes Gets Maximum Sentence: 36 Months

[LegalEagle 22]

Paying our full share of taxes is our duty as citizens. If you cheat on your taxes you are unamerican and a financial terrorist. Furthermore by cheating you cause the tax rate to be higher for those patriotic citizens who do pay.

[otterinbham 0]

Here's my take. I don't cheat on my taxes. But in our Byzantine, Rube Goldberg tax code there are more gray areas than Carter has little liver pills. And my accountant takes interprets every single one of them in my favor. I think that's a pretty good way to go, don't you?

[CCTAU 3,490]

Here's my take. I don't cheat on my taxes. But in our Byzantine, Rube Goldberg tax code there are more gray areas than Carter has little liver pills. And my accountant takes interprets every single one of them in my favor. I think that's a pretty good way to go, don't you?

NOPE. The fair tax proposal gets everyone, even visitors. Every country I visit I have to pay their taxes. Why not here? Our tax code is so skewed to discrimination that it stinks. If we have a way to tax on consumption and then refund the taxes paid on the necessities to those legal citizens in good standing, then do it. Give the power back to the people, not the government.

[otterinbham 0]

Here's my take. I don't cheat on my taxes. But in our Byzantine, Rube Goldberg tax code there are more gray areas than Carter has little liver pills. And my accountant takes interprets every single one of them in my favor. I think that's a pretty good way to go, don't you?

NOPE. The fair tax proposal gets everyone, even visitors. Every country I visit I have to pay their taxes. Why not here? Our tax code is so skewed to discrimination that it stinks. If we have a way to tax on consumption and then refund the taxes paid on the necessities to those legal citizens in good standing, then do it. Give the power back to the people, not the government.

Oh, I'm all about the Fair Tax system. But under the Unfair Tax System that we have in place today, I'm going to take advantage of every loophole, exception, and finding the IRS has. These are the kind of things that a good accountant knows about, but you'll never find on Turbo Tax.

Personally, I'd like nothing better than the Fair Tax, because my wife and I are notable cheapskates. We save our money rather than buy every new geegaw that comes out.

[CCTAU 3,490]

Here's my take. I don't cheat on my taxes. But in our Byzantine, Rube Goldberg tax code there are more gray areas than Carter has little liver pills. And my accountant takes interprets every single one of them in my favor. I think that's a pretty good way to go, don't you?

NOPE. The fair tax proposal gets everyone, even visitors. Every country I visit I have to pay their taxes. Why not here? Our tax code is so skewed to discrimination that it stinks. If we have a way to tax on consumption and then refund the taxes paid on the necessities to those legal citizens in good standing, then do it. Give the power back to the people, not the government.

Oh, I'm all about the Fair Tax system. But under the Unfair Tax System that we have in place today, I'm going to take advantage of every loophole, exception, and finding the IRS has. These are the kind of things that a good accountant knows about, but you'll never find on Turbo Tax.

Personally, I'd like nothing better than the Fair Tax, because my wife and I are notable cheapskates. We save our money rather than buy every new geegaw that comes out.

I hear ya. I have nice stuff, but I don't usually buy it new. My son needed a new bat for baseball, so I contacted a coach friend of mine who coaches travel. His team got all new bats and were looking to sell of some of the old (1/2 season) ones. I got a great bat at 1/2 price. And I got to show up at the cages and test several. So the fair tax for me would be great. At least that way, I wouldn't have to pay my accountant al lthat money to find the credits. AND I control my taxing, not Uncle Sam.

[TitanTiger 21,147]

The number one thing I love about the consumption tax is that it is so much harder to avoid than an income tax. All those people that get cash under the table from hard criminals like pimps, drug dealers and prostitutes to lesser violators like illegal immigrants end up paying taxes. No one gets to avoid it and it's much harder to cheat.

[AUTiger1 0]

The number one thing I love about the consumption tax is that it is so much harder to avoid than an income tax. All those people that get cash under the table from hard criminals like pimps, drug dealers and prostitutes to lesser violators like illegal immigrants end up paying taxes. No one gets to avoid it and it's much harder to cheat.

That is what I like about the consumption tax. If you go to a service station to buy anything, go to Wal-mart to buy groceries, personal items, whatever, you have to pay. Like Otter, on something like that I would save big. The wife and I pinch every little penny, and cut every little corner we can. We don't make a fortune, we do better than a lot, but we didn't get where we are and have what we do by making stupid purchases and blowing our money.